By MATT LINDSEY

MASSENA -- The first-ever “Tastes and Talents of the North Country” show hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is expected to draw nearly 100 vendors.

“The Cheel Arena (craft) show is the most popular around and we have to work around the Clarkson hockey schedule which caused the (St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Craft, Food and Wine Show) to be held earlier than before,” according to Jo Ann Roberts, events and promotions manage at the chamber.

Vendors and shoppers now have second show closer to Christmas to buy and sell locally made products.

It will be held at the St. Lawrence Centre Arena in the mall at 6183 State Highway 37 from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Admission is $3 for adults.

Roberts says parking won’t be an issue like it can be at the October show. The mall has a large parking area that should be big enough to handle increased traffic.

“It will be exciting to offer a second show,” Roberts said.

The chamber is calling the show a sister show to the St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Craft, Food and Wine Show. Roberts said that if the event is successful they will try to run it again next year.

Roberts said the chamber’s craft show in October drew around 4,500 people with several vendors reporting record sales. But, people did not appear to be Christmas shopping.

“People were shopping more for themselves than for guests,” she said.

There will be over 90 vendors including new ones that were not at the October show. Nine wineries, 24 food vendors and lots of crafters and artisans are expected to attend.

“People are excited for a second show in a second location…we hope to attract our core group of shoppers and new ones from Franklin County, Akwesasne and Canada,” Roberts said.

Vendors include Eye Candy, Ogdensburg, beaded jewelry; Margaret Tiernan, Chase Mills, placemats, wall hangings, table runs, pillows; R&J Finds, Gouverneur, wine bottle cheeseboards and creations; Kim’s Cheesecake on a Stick, Clayton, cheesecake and frozen bananas; River Myst Winery, Ogdesnburg, wine and wine accessories; Tiffanie Laura Creations, Altona, jewelry and crafts; D&D Meats, West Chazy, food; Specialtea Teas, Lisbon, loose leaf tea and tea accessories; Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, Geneva, winery; Phil and Jackie’s, Massena, fudge; Lynn Murray Photography, Ogdensburg, landscape photography and Unique Creations by Sharon, Harrisville, quilter items, Christmas ornaments, home decor.

Others expected to attend are 3 Bears Gluten Free Bakery, Potsdam, gluten free baked goods; Smith Farm Chicken, Massena, farm meat, chicken, turkey; Harvest Herb Co., Malone, herbal products; Adirondack Frame and Photographs, Malone, rustic frames and Adirondack photography; County Hollow, Altona, candles and gifts; Stone Soap, Canton, lotion, essential oils, potpourri; Sew Unique, Brushton, crafts, sewing, embroidery; Otter Creek Winery, Philadelphia, farm winery; 2 Mama Birds, Winthrop, handmade jewelry; The Nut Shop International, Colton, nuts, flavored nuts, brittles, jams, holiday novelties, giftware; Betsy Rauscher-Kreilach, Boonville, jewelry and graphic picture frames; Five Mile Line Logs, Ogdensburg, woodworking, small furniture and wood burnings; Adirondack Soy Candles, Saranac Lake, soy candles; Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay, winery and Goblin’s Market, Winthrop, hand-dyed scarves and jewelry.

More vendors planned include Claire’s County Garden, Alburgh, VT, pickles, relishes, mincemeat and jams; Keller County Quilts, Norwood, handmade decorative miniature quilts; Whispering Pines Country Crafts, Hammond, quilts, faux fur blankets, nightgowns; Asplin Tree Farms, Gabriels, balsam pillows, door stoppers, sachets; Lakeland Winery, Syracuse, winery; Adirondack Heirloom Treasures, Malone, quilted items and christening gowns; Sweeter Creations Sugar House, Waddington, maple producer; Cosimano & Ferrari, East Rochester, olive oils and vinegars; Cooper’s Magnetic Jewelry, Chazy, magnetic jewelry; Diane Bell, Ogdensburg, handcrafted purses and key chains; County Magic, North Bangor, quilts and quilted items; Down by the River Crafts, Clayton, fishing lure jewelry and accessories; Miss D’s Alpacas, Chase Mills, hats, socks, scarves; Revised Editions, Canton, items made from old books and Bella-Brooke Vineyard, Hammond, winery.

Also attending will be Nature’s Canvas, Potsdam, arts, crafts, wood burned items, crocheted hats; ‘Em Bears, Hannawa Falls, stuffed animals; Unlimited Designs, Potsdam, hand-painted signs, ornaments; Zahler’s Maple Products, St. Regis Falls, maple products; Raymor Estate Cellars, Bloomfield, winery; Racquette River Designs, Hannawa Falls, handmade fabric items, purses, aprons, potato bags; Sugar Valley Bakery, Potsdam, baked goods; Hip Chic Boutique, Fort Drum, hats, tutus, scarves, hair bows; Sandra LaPage, Potsdam, Potsdam; Raquette River Gift Company, Potsdam, gourmet gift baskets and local products; Tucker Springs Organics, artisanal soap, skin care products and candles; Cat House Designs, Potsdam, fiber arts and painted reclaimed furniture.

More vendors include Chipman Woodworks, Lisbon, hand-turned wooden bowls, rolling pins; Friot’s Family, Hermon, paracord items; St. Lawrence County NYSARC, Canton, handcrafted items made by disabled; Joyful Creations, Gouverneur, personalized crafts, people, Christmas ornaments; My Body Utopia, Nicholville, body care products, crocheted bibs; Tug Hill Vineyards, Lowville, winery; Second Chances, Waddington, vintage market bags, weekender totes; Romancing Stones, Potsdam, handcrafted jewelry; Sue-z-Doll Fashions, Lisbon, doll clothes and accessories; Uncle Jim’s, Norfolk, all natural seasonings, dips, mixes, rubs; St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES/Life Skills, Potsdam, school group, handmade items; VT Made Richard’s Sauce, all natural BBQ sauces, hot sauces, marinades; Meadow View Honey Farm, Govuerneur, honey; High Peaks Winery, Potsdam, winery; Fisher and Son Scroll Saw Art, Richville, scroll saw woodwork art; Green Mountain Mustard, Richmond, VT, mustard and Something Country, Canton, seasonal arrangements.

Also attending will be Barbara’s Glassworks, Philadelphia, stained glass; MM Crafts, Ogdensburg, fleece, crocheted items, ceramics; Blue Frenzy, Canton, jewelry, metal working, glass; Not Your Average Cookie, Ogdensburg, bakery; Tom’s Workshop, Ogdensburg, woodworking, handcrafted pens; Coco Lassial Apron Co., Canton, aprons; Kaneb Orchards, Massena, hard cider and cider donuts; Michelle Johnston, Heuvelton, stocking, embroidered, personalized; Blue Heron Patchwork, Chase Mills, fabric, baby blankets, pillows, throws, placemats; St. Lawrence River Decoys, Waddington, fish and duck decoys, blankets; 2nd Time Around, Malone, “upcycled” fabrics; Custom Woodworking Tables & Things, Elizabethtown, handmade wood crafts and White Stone Farm, Chateaugay, grass-fed beef and lamb.