“New” is what’s new this year at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival, which open this weekend at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.

The official theme is “New This Season,” which emphasizes the latest techniques in modern American artistry. About 250 jury-select artists will be on hand selling their wares, demonstrating their crafts and displaying their masterpieces.

The 35^th annual festival will feature “functional and decorative pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, wood, metal, furniture, home accessories, photography and fine art,” according to a press release.

Take a look at our coverage of the event last year. 

There will be continuous live demonstrations and performances from iron forging to live interactive dress-up theater (for the kids).

For those interested in culinary arts, “gourmet foods and seasonal favorites—including candies and chocolates, hearty soups, artisan breads, jams and dips, syrups, and olive oils—will be available to sample and purchase from dozens of specialty food purveyors,” the release states.

But the thing we love most here at Patch is shining a spotlight on local folks who do extraordinary things. Here is a breakdown of just some of the local artists, their businesses and the Patch towns they hail from:

Organizers expect about 15,000 people to attend the fesival this weekend. 

The show runs Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 online, $9 at the door, and children under 12 are free.