Amish Acres Fest Hits Cyberspace
August 2000
Susan Lakes, Truth Regional Reporter
The Elkhart Truth
NAPPANEE- No rain and thousands of visitors (some in cyberspace) were a successful combination for the 38th annual Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival.
Between Wednesday's set up and Sunday's departure, more than 300 artists displayed their creations in what Amish Acres founder Dick Pletcher called a manner about as close to "family" as you can get.
And, with all four festival days without rain - a first since 1993 - Pletcher said he's sure the 70,000 attendance goal was met. "It will be a record attendance this year." Final figures weren't available.
But some people who participated in the festival activities won't be counted in the gate attendance since they didn't enter the gate. Rather, for the first time this year, Pletcher said Amish Acres offered Web cam broadcasting all over the world. This resulted in e-mails and questions from people making plans to visit the festival in the future.
Pletcher and staff also are looking to the future. "We've sent e-mails to all the managers and employees," he said about a questionnaire where each will list 15 suggestions for next year. They'll discuss the answers on Wednesday as they begin preparation for next year's 39th annual event.
For artist Jerry Wilkinson from Texas, the year-round planning and fine tuning worked for his visit this year. "They've got this down to a fine science. Staff is wonderful. They facilitate your every need."
Another vendor, Tom Hopper from Missouri, said the Amish Acres show is one of the only two craft shows he chooses to attend each year. "The set-up was wonderful," he said.
In an interview Tuesday, Pletcher recalled some of the festival problems - but quickly commended the staff for their swift hospitable actions. In one case, an artist learned she inadvertently threw all her credit card receipts away from Thursday's sales. A maintenance person, according to Pletcher, worked to find just the right trash hopper that allowed her to regain her records.
In another incident, when staff learned they were one hotel room short for Friday, maintenance workers transformed the Amish Acres massage room into a fully functioning room by adding beds and furniture.
And, food services staff decided to offer a turkey club for the first time this year and made plans to sell 1,200. On Thursday though, when they discovered the crowd had gobbled up that many with three days left to go, they quickly notified John's Butcher shop in Nappanee. In the end, the popular sandwich was made available each of the four days.
Paul and Nancy Troyer of Sturgis who spent Friday at Amish Acres found a treat they said they can't get just anywhere when they spent Friday at the festival. "It quenches the thirst and it tastes good," Nancy said about the sassafras tea.
But, some visitors left items behind. Pletcher said the lost and found includes nine pairs of prescription glasses, car keys and a cell phone.
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