Sabana Grande Holiday Arts & Crafts fair a huge hit

Sabana Holiday Arts and Craft fair

Nov 24, 2024

RIO RANCHO — It’s a tradition that has lasted more than three decades, and, once again, the Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival at Sabana Grande Recreation Center was a huge hit.

On Nov. 25, hundreds gathered in the Sabana space to get a head start on holiday shopping.

“It’s just a different vibe ... We usually get a big crowd, and today we have a big crowd,” Lori Leeds said.

Leeds worked for the City of Rio Rancho for more than 30 years until her retirement in 2016 and has been to numerous holiday fairs at Sabana.

The Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival featured more than 40 vendors and was hosted by the Rio Rancho Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department.

“I love giving people things so I am excited for Christmas ... These are all gifts for my best friends and my brother,” shopper Selena Konneman said.

Konneman left the recreation center with a ton of stuff, including lots of 3-D printed items.

All vendors in attendance were small businesses, pop-ups and ordinary people looking to showcase homemade goods.

“We are just here having a Christmas craft show. I am here with my mom with our Christmas crafts just trying to brighten peoples’ day with our stuff,” said Yvonne Romero, who, with her mom, was selling light-up crosses, biscochitos and more Christmas-themed items.

Vendors in attendance included Mitie Kreations, Jax and the Wick, Pumpkin Head Prinitive, Mild to Wild Inc., Tree of Beauty and Apothecary, Gaby’s Craft Bin, Ck-zads, Zia Street 3D, Aerial frog LLC, Martha’s Body Bueno, 505 Bussin’, ABQ Jewels, Lotus Tree Herbal, Colton Worx + Crafts LLC, Goodgets, Made for You by Stacy Q., Crystalized Healing, Puffed Up Candy, Pure Beauty Soaps + More, West Wind, Sunny Succulent Arrangements, Wise Works, Gary M West Photography, Visions in Crystal, Goodies Galore, The Park Chick, Heart + Sew, Heartfelt Creations, Rosetta Creations by Natalie, Mild to Wild Inc, and more.