As thousands of families travel to Pullman for WSU’s Spring Family Weekend, one event continues to draw attention from those visiting campus: the Spring Arts & Crafts Fair.
The fair will be held inside Beasley Coliseum, where dozens of vendors will line the space, offering handmade goods, specialty foods and unique items for students and families.
With fewer events scheduled on campus this year, the fair has become an even more prominent part of Family Weekend. It serves as both a gathering space for families and a long-standing tradition in Pullman.
For Linda Gallagher, co-owner and co-founder of DLG Enterprises, organizing the fair has been part of her Family Weekend tradition for decades.
The Spring Arts & Crafts Fair began as a way to provide opportunities for local creators at a time when Pullman had limited events and newer artisans struggled to find space in larger markets.
“We wanted to sell our creations, and sell them to our hometown,” Gallagher said.
What started as a small event has grown into a long-running tradition on campus and in the community. DLG Enterprises has now hosted fairs for more than three decades.
“We are amazed to look back at how many years we have been putting on these fairs,” Gallagher said.
Over time, the event has developed into what Gallagher described as a semi-professional-level craft fair and the only event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The fair has also become part of many families’ traditions, including Gallagher’s own, with multiple generations involved in organizing the event now including her daughter and granddaughter, Ginger and Sammy Gallagher.
Showcasing not only family but also the local community, and with fewer events happening on campus this year, the Spring Arts & Crafts Fair has become even more prominent in the Family Weekend celebrations.
“This fair is one of the premier events on campus for this weekend and is heavily and enthusiastically attended by families and their students,” Gallagher said.
This year, the fair will feature about 80 vendors offering a wide range of products, including jewelry, pottery, photography prints, 3D-printed goods, resin art, skin care products and WSU merchandise. Food vendors will also be available, serving coffee, baked goods, jerky, teas and specialty oils.
Interactive elements will also be part of the event. A magnet booth will allow attendees to turn personal photos into keepsakes, while specialty vendors, including authors, woodworkers and a mushroom-themed booth, add to the variety. Vintage booths will also be introduced this year showing how the fair evolves with time and adapts to new trends.
“We are fortunate to have a wide variety of vendors at our fair,” Gallagher said.
Vendors are selected through a judging process that emphasizes quality, creativity and originality, with preference given to local and student artisans. The event aims to provide a platform for small businesses while showcasing the local creative community.
Inside Beasley, attendees can expect a lively but relaxed atmosphere. Families can browse booths, stop for food and interact with vendors, creating a steady flow of activity throughout the space.
“Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a community member, there’s something for everyone,” Gallagher said.
The Spring Arts & Crafts Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Beasley Coliseum. Admission is free, and parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the parking lot closest to the coliseum.
For Gallagher, the goal of the event has remained consistent. It is to create a space where people can come together and experience creativity. For students and families visiting Pullman this weekend, the Spring Arts & Crafts Fair offers one of the most accessible ways to do just that.
For more information, follow DLG Enterprises on Instagram @dlgenterprises or visit dlgenterprisesfairs.com
