May 12 will be busy in Bluffton

The Bluffton Arts and Crafts Festival will hold its 47th annual celebration of homegrown talent from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m on Saturday, May 12.

Some 60 vendors will line the village’s Main Street from Elm to Franklin, showcasing work ranging from hand-crafted toys to natural home and beauty products to fine art.

Free family activities, festival foods, and live music will ensure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The festival is the day before Mother's Day, so bring mom along or find the perfect gift.

Bluffton’s downtown merchants are making room for free pony rides sponsored by Bluffton Hospital, free mini golf sponsored by M&R Plumbing & Heating, a llama display by Hard Rock Llama Co. of Ada, and the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District activities van with crafts and animal displays.

Live music will be performed by a Lima Symphony Orchestra quartet, the Old Folkies (Doug Adams and Charlie Saylor) and the jazz trio of Lucas Harnish, Steve Harnish, and Jeff Yoder.

Events that will run alongside the festival are the Bluffton Farmers Market, Friends of the Bluffton Public Library Book Sale, and Bluffton Hospital Auxiliary Silent Art Auction at CVS.

The Special Olympics Ohio Area 3 Track Meet and 2018 Ohio Judo Championships are bringing visitors to the nearby campus of Bluffton University.

Hungry visitors will have plenty of snack and dining options. Bluffton includes some 14 restaurants and food shops on and near Main Street. There will also be festival food vendors and a hot dog bar at the Bluffton Senior Center.