About 60 craft and food vendors and hundreds of residents will descend on the Throop Civic Center in just over a month for the borough’s inaugural Arts and Food Festival, making this a busy time for organizers.

The brainchild of Samantha Nardelli and Lorrie Krajewski, the Arts and Food Festival — which will take place on Saturday, April 16, from noon to 5 p.m. — will pack a litany of activities into one afternoon. The two have been hard at work over the past few months to ensure that the afternoon offers something for everyone.

“We’ve tried to make it as eclectic as possible and offer something for all ages,” said Ms. Nardelli, who explained that they’ve already received commitments from around 60 craft and food vendors, and will play host to local artisans, musicians and interactive activities.

The festival’s vendor list is expansive, with wares ranging from dream catchers, jewelry and custom dog collars to vintage video games and homemade baklava.

What the Fork and the Triple S Gourmet Food Truck will also have a presence at the festival, as well as the Sanderson Street Tavern and the Sweet Lush Cupcakery of Dunmore.

“We want to see it become an annual thing that brings everyone together in the community,” said Ms. Krajewski.

The idea for the festival really came together before Christmas, and Ms. Krajewski and Ms. Nardelli said things have been falling into place since.

“It’s been a lot of phone calls and emails,” Ms. Nardelli said, “but there is always someone new that’s interested. People are very excited.”

In addition to other vendors, the event will feature a handful of musicians, a photo booth, face painting, free art classes for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, performances by the Mid Valley High School cheerleaders and Pride Squad, and a basket raffle to benefit the civic center.

“This is definitely a first for Throop that is going to bring in everyone,” said Ms. Krajewski, who added that the festival will be free.

“Our goal isn’t financial. It’s to throw a good day for the community and to introduce something new to the valley,” said Ms. Nardelli.

Volunteers are being sought to work the festival in exchange for a community service certificate and a free staff T-shirt. Anyone age 13 or older is welcome to volunteer.

For information on the Throop Arts and Food Festival, visit throopfestival.com. To register a child for art classes, call the civic center at 570-383-7906.

The civic center is at 500 Sanderson St.

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jhorvath@timesshamrock.com, @jhorvathTT on Twitter

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