Despite the inclement weather this weekend, thousands flocked to the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz to attend the county's 25th Annual Woodstock-New Paltz Art and Craft Fair. Every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend over 300 skilled artisans and crafts-people gather to show their wares in an atmosphere not characteristic of most shows.

The rain subsided and hay was spread and, at exactly ten o'clock, people began descending upon the grounds. White tents were erected in the open field, housing the festivities. From pottery to clothing to food, the fair had something to please everybody. Among the crafters were Ginny and Stan Gula - a New Hampshire couple that has dedicated the last 22 years to finding, refinishing and preparing antique post office boxes for use as banks. Originally cabinet makers, the Gulas were inspired by their five-year-old son when they found him trying to saw a hole in the top of his post office box in an effort to store his money without having to open the door. Since then, the couple has traveled the east coast selling their unique antiques. Their oldest post office box dates back to 1878; their newest are as recent as the 1980s when the United States Post Office first began using metal security boxes.

In addition to the endless array of crafts for sale, many crafters, like Carol Joos, were demonstrating their profession. Joos is a skilled woodworker. Her interest in woodworking began at just six-years-old when her grandfather gave her a jackknife. Since then, Joos has perfected the art of 'turning,' the process used to create bowls. Living in Ovid, New York, all of Joos' bowls are made from hard woods, local to the Finger-Lakes region. She finishes them by hand with a homemade non-toxic finish. "I'll never be able to retire," says Joos, "but it's a small price to pay for doing something you love."

Joos has come to the Woodstock-New Paltz Art and Craft Fair every year. Since1993 she has been located at the same booth, at the corner of the same tent - Tent B. Every artisan present at this festival shares Joos' love for his or her craft, an unmistakable passion for doing something they love. Perhaps this passion is what has made the fair such a longstanding success.

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