By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — The 12th annual W.I.L.M.A. (We Invite Local Manufactures and Artisans) Wooly Bear Weekend events will kick off Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds.
On Sunday, W.I.L.M.A. will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nearly 50 local artisans, small businesses and manufactures will fill the Corporate Building and the Domestic Building with locally-made items.
The first 50 people through the doors on Saturday and the first 25 on Sunday will get $5 in W.I.L.M.A. bucks to spend with the vendors, said Crystal Abers, director of the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism.
The objective of W.I.L.M.A. “is to help small businesses, artisans and manufacturers,” Abers said. “Shop Local and buy local.”
Admission is free and visitors will get a free shopping bag as well as donuts from the South Dayton Super Duper and Pumpkinville cider.
At 4 p.m. Saturday there will be three drawings: $75, $50, and $25 in W.I.L.M.A. bucks. There will also be auctions, raffles and door prizes.
WILMA is a family-oriented event showcasing items handmade or manufactured in Cattaraugus County by talented local artisans and manufacturers, Abers said. This event was created to promote shopping local and buying local, just in time for the holiday season.
It’s not your average craft show! All vendors at this event are local business owners, manufacturers, artisans, or crafters from Cattaraugus County.
