On October 12 and 13, the Boothbay Railway Village, along with the Boothbay Information Center, will host a true New England Craft Fair.

Every Columbus Day Weekend for nearly half a century the Museum’s Village Green has welcomed dozens of vendors of handmade items and fabulous food along with a wide variety of live entertainment. The sound of the train’s steam whistle resonating throughout the crisp fall air reminds guests that this is not your typical craft show.

The beautiful crafts are center stage on the Village Green surrounded by the historic buildings and structures of the Boothbay Railway Village. Rides on the narrow gauge steam train and the opportunity for guests to explore exhibits detailing Maine’s railroad heritage, interpreting village life, and displaying more than 55 antique automobiles set this event apart.

The addition of craft demonstrations is a first for this year’s festival. “I’m very excited that several of the vendors have agreed to offer demonstrations,” Festival organizer René Evans said. “Visitors will be able to watch beeswax candles being dipped, pottery being fired using the Raku technique, and baskets being woven by hand.” The demonstration schedule will be posted each morning at the festival entrance.

Foodies will not be disappointed in the festival’s culinary offerings. The famous chowder cooked up by the Boothbay Region Lions Club will be back, along with fresh lobster rolls, pulled pork, hamburgers, hot cider, kettle corn and much more. A new taste treat will be pizza baked in a wood-fired oven.

This year the entertainment stage will feature Fay Christy, the High School Alumni Band, Noel Arrington, The Spaceheaters, Paul Johnson & Amber Jones, Oyster Creek Fiddlers and the Holy Mackerels. “We still have one more act to announce and plan to have the full schedule posted on the Boothbay Railway Village’s website and Facebook page no later than Monday, Oct. 7,” said Mellissa Thornton, entertainment coordinator.

The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is $2. Steam train tickets are an additional $5 each. Another added feature for 2013 is the free parking available in the museum’s new event parking lot directly across the street (next to T & D Variety.) Parking is also free onsite at the museum.

Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at 207-633-4727, or online at www.railwayvillage.org. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.