BUTLER — Every autumn I look forward to Prairie Peddler.
I like all of it, the wood burning under the huge kettle pots, the fair food stands that include comfort items like chicken and noodles, biscuits and gravy, French fries, corn on the cob, turkey legs, wood-fired pizza, cobblers, brownies and ice cream.
Then there are the crafts. Normally, crafts don’t catch my attention, but the skill on display for some of the items at Prairie Peddler makes it noticeable even to a rube like me.
One year we bought a cedar chest to go at the foot of our bed, and it’s been there for more than a decade. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture that will probably end up in the home of a grandchild at some point — the good Lord willing and the river don’t rise.
Last Saturday, work prevented me from getting down to Butler for opening day of Prairie Peddler, so the family made our pilgrimage on Sunday. It was an ominous sky, and there were fits of sprinkles throughout the day, but it turned out perfectly.
The big crowd arrived a day earlier. We leisurely strolled the grounds, smelled autumn in the air, listened to some bluegrass music, gorged on all the food we shouldn’t, and picked up a couple of trinkets we could easily do without.
For those that couldn’t make it, you get another shot this weekend, when the Peddler reconvenes on the prairie south of Butler Oct. 1 and 2.
More than 200 vendors are on site for the unique outdoor marketplace in the woods. Aesthetically, this might be an even better weekend. The leaves are just starting to change and there will be a feeling of October chill in the air.
If you’re thinking ahead, this is a great chance to do some holiday shopping, too.
Prairie Peddler is one of the fascinating cultural gatherings in the region, an introduction to autumn, and a little bit of something for everyone.
