By Jen Rinaldi

Who doesn’t love the crisp mornings of fall? Between the changing colors and shorter, cooler days, we’re all ready to celebrate after a long, hot summer. For me, fall also means looking forward to the wonderful events our mountain communities offer.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the second annual Pigeon Palooza in Snowflake at Our Lady of the Snow. The event focused on education and animal husbandry, with select vendors offering products geared toward one of our most domesticated friends — the pigeon.

And Pigeon Palooza is just the beginning. From now through Christmas, there are so many wonderful local events that “shopping local” takes on a whole new meaning. Not only does your money stay here with local makers and artisans, but the fees and donations generated by these events often find their way back into our communities. It truly is a win-win.

One of those events is Made on the Mountain, at St. Mary of the Angels Church. The November craft fair brings together some of the best artistic and culinary talent our region offers.

I spoke with Katherine Larson, president of the Madonna Guild and one of the event’s organizers, about what makes Made on the Mountain so special.

“Made on the Mountain means just that,” Katherine explained. “The artisans and bakers are from our region; we have vendors selling wood crafts, metal crafts, jams, honey, wind chimes, authors, leather crafts, pottery, resin crafts, and jewelry.”

This will be the seventh craft fair hosted by the Madonna Guild. What began about four years ago with roughly two craft fairs a year has grown into a popular May and November tradition, showcasing the creativity and talent of White Mountain artists and craftspeople.

But Made on the Mountain is about more than shopping. It is also a fundraiser, and the proceeds allow the Madonna Guild to reach further into the community.

In recent years, funds have helped address the urgent need for food in the White Mountains through substantial donations to Meals-on-Wheels and Catholic Charities. Previous fundraisers have also supported Thanksgiving food baskets for Walking Down Ranch, which serves veterans, Catholic Charities, Senior Villas in Show Low, and Meals-on-Wheels.

The craft fair is a genuine community effort. Katherine organizes the fair, while Terry Linn oversees vendor relations. Months before the doors open, members of the Madonna Guild are busy decorating, baking, and preparing the hall to create a welcoming experience for both shoppers and vendors.

And then there is the bake sale.

“Everything we sell at our bake sale is homemade!” Katherine says. With a talented group of bakers in the guild, shoppers can expect an impressive selection of homemade treats alongside the handcrafted goods.

The Madonna Guild is a self-funded organization, and creating the craft fairs has allowed the group to raise money to make a greater impact in the community. Besides the bake sale, visitors can browse the donation boutique, where everything is available to shop for in exchange for a donation.

The fairs have continued to grow, and so has the guild’s commitment to highlighting local talent. The organizers cast a wide net when searching for vendors, looking for artists who create unique, high-quality work that they believe visitors will appreciate. They meet new artists at other shows, receive recommendations and inquiries from vendors, and post throughout the community when applications open.

This November, over 40 vendors are expected to fill the St. Joseph Family Center with handmade creations, gifts, food, and plenty of inspiration.

So, as you make your holiday shopping list, consider setting aside some time to shop locally. You may find something truly special, meet the person who made it, enjoy a homemade treat—and know that your purchase is helping support the White Mountain community.



Made on the Mountain November 6th and 7th • 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. St. Joseph Family Center at St. Mary of the Angels Church,

1915 South Penrod Lane Pinetop, Arizona