The annual Chimacum Arts & Crafts Fair, reportedly the largest event of its type in Jefferson County, was canceled this year, like so much else, in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

However, art-hungry aesthetes may still find the works of a select group of would-be participants at the event’s website (www.chimacumarts.com), offering online shoppers unique local gifts: jewelry, fleece, pictures, confections and more.

The decision to cancel was as unpleasant as it was unavoidable, according to event spokesman Danny Milholland. If government guidance wasn’t enough, the fair’s traditional venue, Chimacum High School, was itself already closed.

“There was ultimately no choice but it still was hard to reconcile,” Milholland said.

It would have been the event’s 34th year, Milholland explained, noting many of the fair’s board members who help produce the show are the same people who helped found it. A record of consistency uncommon in most other large community events of such longevity.

“It’s the biggest holiday fair in Jefferson County,” he said. “It draws about 4,000 people.”

The fair is also an important platform for local artisans selling their goods, something especially needed in 2020.

“This is a hard year for local artists,” Milholland said.

Hence, the board’s pivot to hosting a special platform for vendors to sell their works online.

“We technically wouldn’t consider the fair is happening,” Milholland said, encouraging people instead to use the event’s website to “track down local artisans” to support.

“We would encourage people, whatever the medium, try to buy local this year,” he said.

Milholland also championed Quimper Mercantile, the Food Co-op, Chimacum Corner Farmstand, and the Port Townsend Farmers Market as places especially known for locally made goods.

Featured on the fair’s website are A&J Fisheries, Double Z Creative, Jacobs Fleece, Ansley Art & Images, Islander Herbs, Mountain Spirit Herbal Co., Steel Coyote, Zarit Glassworks, Wild Redhead Confections, and Passiko Jewelry, among others.

“We’ll keep those profiles up until we start promoting next year’s fair at least,” Milholland said, noting that 100 percent of any sales go directly to the vendors.

The online option may also become a more permanent aspect of the event, too.

At least two lost facets of the fair, however, are not as quickly obvious.

First, the abundance of opportunities for Chimacum students to volunteer and participate, essentially all of which went away with the cancellation. Typically, Milholland said local youths assist in almost every aspect of putting on the fair, though the 2020 posters were designed by students from Chimacum High School at least.

Secondly, the fair’s general fundraising efforts to support unmet needs in Jefferson County school districts, especially Chimacum, were put on hold this year.

Those seeking to give to the cause still may if they wish; contact chimacumarts@gmail.com to learn more.

Meanwhile, the dates are already set for the 2021 fair (Dec. 11-12) and information about vendor applications will be made available when ready at www.chimacumarts.com.

“We truly wish you all the best through these crazy times and look forward to next year’s celebration,” fair officials wrote in a recent message. “Blessings, gratitude and good tidings to you all!”