The 23rd annual Craftsmen’s Fall Classic, October 8-10, will bring to the Roanoke Civic Center hundreds of the country’s finest artists and craftsmen, with thousands of their original works in contemporary and traditional, functional and whimsical forms.

Award-winning promoters, Gilmore Shows, will again waive admission fees, with requests for patrons to bring food donations for Feeding America Southwest Virginia. In 2009, residents donated 23,500 pounds of food at the Craftsmen’s Fall Classic and this year the need is even greater. In fact, newly released U.S. Census Bureau statistics show the number of individuals living in poverty in the United States has reached a new high, 42.9 million.

So what do you get for just a non-perishable food donation? Show visitors have the opportunity to meet and see the works of potters, sculptors, fine artists, furniture makers, weavers, basket makers, wood crafters, jewelry makers, photographers and countless other artisans. There will be one-of-a-kind choices for gifts, collections, home accessories, and early holiday shopping and decorating, with something special for every style, taste and budget.

The Craftsmen’s Fall Classic will run Friday and Saturday, October 8 and 9, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.  and Sunday, October 10, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be free parking as well as free admission.

The popular event is part of a series of arts and crafts events held year-round, throughout Virginia and the two Carolinas. Complete information on the shows is available at www.CraftShow.com and by phone at 336-282-5550.