E ACH SEASON brings its traditions, but few compare to one annual kick off to fall and holiday shopping. Unphased by weather fluctuations, only thunderstorms send shoppers scattering to shelter. When the small town of Bell Buckle, with a population of approximately 500, welcomes over 100,000 visitors the third weekend of October, summer vacates our hearts, fall takes the helm, and Christmas waves to us, and all feels right in the world.
Loved by locals, the Webb Craft Fair is an iconic weekend event. But countless others from lesser-known zip codes contribute to the continual growth and success of the festival.
Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce President Heather Williams has seen a sizable jump in attendance during her nine-year tenure.
“The people come in groups, and we hear people regularly say they’ve been coming to this for 15 years. Or you’ll see these groups walking around, and they’ll say there are three generations here, or you’ll see them walking around in matching T-shirts that say things like ‘I conquered the Bell Buckle Craft Fair.’ It really has become this pilgrimage, and people who are unaware of what it is sometimes get taken aback because they don’t expect the traffic. But those who know are willing to settle in and hang out for the hour ride into town or however long it takes them to get in here, and then they’re here all day,” Williams said.
The Webb Craft Fair has gained even more traction in recent years, surpassing its previous attendance records. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival returned triumphantly, drawing in the largest crowd it had ever seen. Only a University of Tennessee home game and attendance at the State Fair, once it moved to Wilson County, are more largely attended.
The festival, managed by the Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce, has grown in size and recognition over its 47 years of operation. The juried art show started as the Webb School Art and Craft Show on the school campus and expanded beyond its boundaries. The Bell Buckle community joined in, opening up their properties to vendors and for parking. While the original juried section still exists under the Webb School Arts and Crafts Show, the festival encompasses many city blocks. It enables a diverse offering of handcrafted goods, food, and other items.
Williams said, “We have a lot of fantastic jewelers, hand-turned and hand-carved wood items, personalized items, and metal art. People look for that item that is unique or handcrafted because they’re coming here buying gifts they can’t buy at the department stores.”
The food selection offers a variety that is synonymous with the event.
“There’s just about anything you can ask for here, from woodfired pizzas to traditional fair food like hotdogs, corndogs, and barbecue. We have Asian food, tacos, and just about anything you could imagine,” Williams said
Managing the growing size of the craft fair has presented challenges. The fair relied on local volunteers in the past, but additional measures were necessary as the attendance numbers surged. Emergency management became an integral part of the event’s organization. Local law enforcement, including the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, were hired, and ambulances were strategically placed at both exits of the town to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees.
Jenny Hunt, treasurer and public relations director for the Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce, said, “The majority of people come on Saturday. People think all the good stuff is there on Saturday, and they’re going to run out of things. Though it sometimes happens, vendors know what they’ve got to have for a show like this and are prepared. So Sunday is a good day to come instead to beat the crowd.”
The impact of the Webb Craft Fair on the local economy cannot be overstated. Homeowners, who serve as individual organizers, benefit significantly from the event. The influx of visitors brings economic prosperity to the town, supporting local businesses and residents alike. The fair’s reputation has spread through various media outlets, including Southern Living features and the Smithsonian recognition. As a result, the festival receives widespread attention, attracting even more visitors each year.
But it’s more than the event and the tangible things it offers. It’s an experience that can hardly be found anywhere else.
“I think it’s a unique experience,” Williams said. “Bell Buckle is such a tiny little town to be able to host something as large as this and have people enjoy it comfortably. It’s a feel-good place. I think they leave with the courtesy and invitation of a small town, not just the shopping experience. We’re a welcoming place to be.”
Bell Buckle is a town that transports you.
Williams and the town agree. “Our theme here is “close to home, but a world away,” and it’s true,” she said. “We’re an hour from Nashville, but it feels like a step back in time.”
When better to step back in time than as leaves of yellow, red, and orange abandon the canopy that was summer’s shade and carpet a storybook town in the wonder of the changing seasons? GN
