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SNEAK PEEK: Shoppers Pack Ankeny Schools for Santa's North Pole Village Craft Show

More than 300 vendors turned out for the 30th annual show, offering something for everyone searching for that special buy.

The key to success for a shopper at Ankeny's 30th annual Santa's North Pole Village Craft Show Saturday was to arrive early.

"They were lined up at the door fifteen minutes before they opened," said Nolen Forsythe, a vendor from Oskaloosa.

"We were slammed the first hour," said Forsythe's wife, Linda, who crafts doll dresses and doll house items.

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By noon, their booth at was half depleted.

The craft sale boasted more than 300 vendors, many from out of town and some from out of state. The vendors set up shop in all three Ankeny middle school buildings and the organizers provided a shuttle service to each of the locations.

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The show is the primary fundraiser for the Ankeny Art Center.

Linda, who is on the verge of retirement from the Mahaska County Highway Department, said Saturday was a test to see if craft fairs would be an option for after retirement.

While she was speaking with Patch, Linda was interrupted by a woman asking if she could sew a Cinderella dress.

"I didn't have any idea what to expect," Linda said of her experience. "This has been wonderful."

Abby Folkerts, of Forest City, said the craft show is an annual event that her and her high school friends reunite.

"We all meet once a year, and this is where we meet," Folkerts said, as she purchased a large painted water jug from a couple in Nebraska.

Whisper Maxwell of Omaha, Neb., said it was "fun to see the creative minds and the things people come up with."

Maxwell was visiting her mom, Rhonda Maxwell, in Des Moines and decided the craft sale was worth checking out.

Outside of Parkview Middle School, with bags of holiday-decorated items in her hands, Rhonda mused on her first Santa's North Pole Craft Sale experience.

"It's amazing how huge this craft sale is," she said.

Want to see more from the 30th annual Santa's North Pole Village Craft Show? Tomorrow morning, Ankeny Patch will bring you more coverage, photos and even video from the event.

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