America’s Basket Festival is just around the corner and is sure to be an event you will not want to miss! The day-long festivities begin at 10 a.m. on July 13, 2024. The festival which is hosted by the Dresden Community Association (DCA) is a day to celebrate, reminisce, and reconnect in Dresden, “America’s Basketmaking Capital”.
Stephanie Hahn, a former employee of The Longaberger Company for 19 years and one of the event coordinators is looking forward to this year’s America’s Basket Festival. “It is about bringing people back to Dresden. Our town was once a booming tourist destination. We have a lot to offer. I would like to see us get back to that place again,” explained Hahn.
Attendees can look forward to all-day shopping at Vendors Row and at many of Dresden’s unique boutiques and shops that are beloved stops for so many visitors year after year. Humble Heart, Smore Baskets, The Daily Drip, Smore Christmas, Dresden’s Baskets and More, The Patio Shops of Dresden, Stacey’s Baskets, Dresden & Company Welcome Center, Beauty by Design Floral Boutique & The Dresden Brew Coffee Cafe, the shops in Union Square including Sage Redesign, Kinney Home Art & Decor, Home Sweet Home art studio, and The Village Seamstress are all must-see shops for anyone visiting Dresden. Please check individual store hours as some may not be available during the entire event.
Darron Delancey executive DCA board member and co-owner of Humble Heart said, “America’s Basket Festival is a time to gather, to say hellos, and to continue in making Dresden a small town to enjoy. I would like to thank all of our sponsors, the MCCF, and the Dresden Community Association Members for making this event possible.”
The entire day is filled with activities including BINGO, a photo booth, a Longaberger family basket signing, hands-on opportunities to Build a Basket and Paint a Basket (pre-registration required), a reunion for Longaberger Employees, activities for kids, and live music by Bryan Lewis.
A beer and spirits garden and a food truck will be on-site plus attendees have the option of pre-registering to pick up a Lunch in a Basket at the event!
The festival is also the final day for the 2024 Dresden Homecoming. Rides, games, and homecoming fare will be located on the grounds of Union Square (701 Chestnut Street) adding to the excitement of the day.
“A few years ago a city planner said to me ‘Dresden is arguably the basket capital of the world and you don’t have a basket festival?’, well now we do!” said long-time DCA member and entrepreneur Jim Lepi.
For detailed information please visit destinationdresden.com and for updates follow Destination Dresden on Facebook. To register for Lunch in a Basket, Bingo, Build a Basket, or Paint a Basket activities please go to ABF24.eventbrite.com.
CAPTION: Event coordinators for America’s Basket Festival are pictured in front of The World’s Largest Basket located in Dresden, Ohio. From left to right are Lurenda Hayes, Stephanie Hahn, Tammy Delancey, Diana Smith, and Katlin Hatfield. Not pictured are Jim Lepi, Darron Delancey, Michael Kennedy, Nancy Cameron, and Stacey Morrison.
