ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Once Austinburg resident Candy Arp got up the courage to organize a high-quality craft show in Ashtabula County, she knew exactly where she wanted to hold it: Lake Shore Park.

“I love the park and that was where I wanted to do it,” said Arp, who grew up in Ashtabula.

Crafts in the Park comes to lower park Sept. 12 and 13. Arp said the show will stretch from the restrooms across from the concession stand to the duck pond. The flat, kidney shaped section of land will host dozens of vendors who have the option of a 12-by-12-foot or 12-by-24-foot space in which to sell their wares.

Arp has been in the crafts business for decades, and she’s been discouraged by the dearth of quality shows in the area.

“There is nothing in this area,” she says. “We don’t have anything for crafters. They need something in this area, and what better place to do it than Lake Shore Park?”

Arp presented her idea to Ashtabula Township Park Commissioners about this time last year. The board jumped on the offer and Arp hit the road promoting it. She estimates that she’s visited 40 craft shows in the region since then and has handed out hundreds of flyers and personal invitations to participate in the show.

At times, she’s been discouraged by crafters reluctant to sign on with a first-year show, but Arp is tenacious. “Every show has had a first year at some point in time,” says Arp. “Just give me a chance.”

While this is her first time to organize a show, she’s been selling at them decades and will draw upon her vendor experience as she sets up a show that’s both shopper and seller friendly.

For sellers, her commitment is to provide a show focused on crafts and farm products rather than used and foreign-made flea-market kitsch.

“It has gotten to the point that the people who promote shows take in whatever they can get and it ends up looking like a flea market,” she says. “I’m avoiding that. I want a nice, quality craft show.”

Some of the vendors who have already signed up will be selling embroidery, barn stars, primitives, florals, yard decorations, homemade purses and jewelry, beach-glass jewelry, local maple syrup, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods and live flowers. A Chinese auction will feature donated items from the vendors.

Vendors can expect a lot of support and marketing; Arp has been busy spreading the word far and wide in regional media. He daughter, Lori Gustafson, has been assisting her with the paperwork.

She is still accepting applications from vendors, but will probably need to cut off registration by this weekend so she can complete the maps to vendor locations. A single booth is $50 for the two days; a double space is $90. Vendors must supply their own tents, canopies and tables/chairs. There will be security on Saturday night, so they won’t have to tear down their displays.

Admission and parking are free for shoppers, and at least two local groups will be selling sandwiches, pizza, salads and beverages.

Arp plans to funnel most of the profits from the event to the commission and request members earmark the money for flowers.

In conjunction with the festival, Arp has created an embroidered design for shirts she’ll be selling as a park commission fundraiser. Again, she’s had plenty of experience with this approach. Arp also creates the shirts for the very successful Conneaut Lake Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 9-11 this year.

“We usually sell 150 of the shirts that weekend,” she says.

Arp’s not concerned that the sour economy will keep people away from the Lakeshore Park show or inhibit spending. Indeed, she’s so confident of the show’s potential, she’s already making plans for next year.

“I plan to make this an annual event and it will always be on the weekend after Labor Day,” she said.

For more vendor information, call 275-1227.