By Barbara Arnstein
You are probably familiar with the alleged weather-predicting power of the groundhog in the spotlight on Groundhog Day. Every February 2nd, at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, crowds gather to see whether a groundhog sees its shadow, because if it does, according to legend, there will be six more weeks of winter.
Well, move over, Punxsutawney Phil, and meet Wilma the Woolly Bear, the mascot of the upcoming W.I.L.M.A. weekend in in Little Valley, NY. It is not a bear but rather the Isabella tiger moth caterpillar, a bug that can supposedly predict the harshness of winter. W.I.L.M.A. stands for “We Invite Local Manufacturing and Artisans” and the 10th annual event showcases the products of local manufacturers and artisans in Cattaraugus County. It will be held, rain or shine (indoors) at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 15th from 10-4pm and on Sunday, October 16th, from 11-3pm.
Isabella tiger moth caterpillars, commonly called woolly bears and also woolly worms, have black and brown segments on their bodies, and the bigger their brown bands are in autumn, the milder the winter is supposed to be. If their “hair” is thicker, the winter is expected to be harsher. (However, the caterpillar is typically not very accurate). At the W.I.L.M.A event, you’ll get a chance to see what an actual woolly bear predicts for this winter. You can also enter Chinese Auction raffles, sip cider, eat donuts, and enjoy lots more! All the vendors at the annual event are always Cattaraugus County business owners, manufacturers, artisans or crafters. The tables will display items ranging from wreaths, jams & jellies,
hats & scarves, signs and soaps to cheese, candles, baskets, barrettes, blankets, burp cloths, and bags.
All the vendors that will be present at this year’s event (this list is not available online) include: Milk House Country Crafts (floral wreaths, candles and other decor), Jane’s Crafty Creations (a wide variety of items), Baskets Plus (homemade wooden baskets), Char’s Creations (primitive sewing, dips and mixes), Jean’s Jams & Jellies (jams and jellies, plus relishes and sauces), Papa’s Products (wooden items such as scroll art, pens and toys), Aunt Deb’s Hot Mustard, Simply Slates (hand-painted slate art), If Unique Is What You Seek (fabric ornaments, pens and barrettes), Help Me Help Others (Priscilla Snider sells fabric-crafted items and donates the proceeds to various charitable organizations), Creative Escapes by Jamie (wooden signs), Eden Valley Creamery (cheese), Hot Off the Hooks (crocheted items including hats & scarves), Fat Root LLC, (which sells honey, horseradish and garlic), Nancy Bowers Crafts (handmade dolls and blankets), Bell, Book & Vinyl (bookmarks, tote bags, ornaments and signs), Empty Nest Creations (rice warming-bags, blankets and burp cloths), FZL Designs (wood art), The She Garage (shirts and tumblers), J & L Designs (jewelry, hand cream, dish towels and more), Clare’s County Creations (candles, knitted items and blankets), Hoofbeat Designs Leather Co. (wallets, dog collars, and tote bags), Photo Art by Sophia (photo art, soap & jewelry), Gail Wulf’s Crafts, Badger & Butterfly Earth Creations (face-painting, gems & fossils), Rustic Originals (primitive and country decor), Dee’s Creations (wreaths), and Joyce Louser, who sells towels, necklaces and baby blankets.
Christine Urf, Development Specialist for the Cattaraugus County’s Department of Economic Development, said “This weekend of family-oriented fun is a great opportunity for local manufacturers and artisans to showcase their items, made right in Cattaraugus County. It’s also a great opportunity to get started on holiday shopping. We began this event to encourage people to ‘shop local and buy local’, supporting small businesses. This is WILMA’s tenth year and each year it’s expanded.”
Remember, whatever you buy, you are helping to the community’s businesses to thrive and showing your support. Every vendor donates a door prize Gift Basket and pays a registration fee and a table fee. A 10′ X 10′ vendor space costs $20, and a table is rented for $10, if it is available. (There are a limited number). Each vendor is only allowed to offer local home-made items (they must be made in Cattaraugus County), local crafts and services or items from a local manufacturer.
Admission to W.I.L.M.A. is free, and there are great freebies, if you arrive early, and great prizes to win, if you’re lucky. The first fifty people to arrive on Saturday, October 15th, will get $5 in “Wilma bucks”, to spend at the event, and the first twenty-five on Sunday, October 16th, will get the same amount. The Wilma dollars are as good as cash there, because every vendor will accept them for purchases. On Saturday, October 15th, at 4 p.m., there will be three drawings for “Wilma bucks”. The top winner will win $75-worth of the “bucks”, while the second will get $50-worth of them, and the third will win $25-worth
of them.
W.I.L.M.A. will be held in both the corporate and domestic buildings at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds at 501 Erie Street in Little Valley, NY. It is organized by the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism. For more information, email deborahmiller@cattco.org, or call (716) 938-2311, or (716) 938-2318.