Event Spotlight: Unglued Craft Fest

As we head into March, students are highly anticipating the long-awaited spring break. January felt like it lasted forever, but then February arrived and now it’s leaving us. As the shortest month, its swift passing should come as no shock, but I think it still takes most people by surprise. With nearly half of the semester over, it’s high time for a break to ensue. However, spring break isn’t much of a break for many. Rather, it is a time to play catch up or take a longer breath or potentially attend an event. Ignoring the former and indulging in the latter two, I have a very exciting event to present: the annual Unglued Craft Fest held at West Acres Mall.

This year from March 6-7, the Friday and Saturday of this week, Unglued is celebrating its sixteenth year by hosting a craft fest. Since the event was started in 2011 as a way to get people out of their houses and support local and regional artists (over 80 to be exact), it features two days of crafty fun made possible by a variety of vendors, free and paid craft sessions and entertainment (a local DJ and adult refreshments). With spring break beginning the same day, it’d be a wonderful local opportunity for those remaining in the area or nearby to kick off break on a positive, fun and artistically motivating note.

Both days of the event will be filled with workshops, activities and special prizes. If you’re over 21, you can enjoy the Local Libations Lounge offering refreshments in Buffalo Court, the lounge outside of Von Maur. Otherwise, take a seat and enjoy the music from the DJ or grab a scavenger hunt at the info booth. Prizes are available upon completion of the hunt! Furthermore, if you head down to Best Buy and Aptitude Studios, there’ll be a community art wall created by See Lang Design that you can add to with paper flowers. Finally, to reward those who support the vendors, you will receive a giveaway ticket after any purchase to put into a drawing for a chance to win the Handmade Haul, a collection made up of donations from a variety of artists. Tickets can be taken to the info booth at Center Court to be put into the drawing, and if you reach 5 tickets, you’ll receive a free tote (which can also be purchased for $5). These activities and entertainment are not specific to certain days and will be available for participation on both Friday and Saturday.

Specific to Friday, March 6 and lasting from 4-8 p.m., there are two special activities: the Crafty Lounge and Free Friday Flair. The Crafty Lounge is a paid experience ($22 per ticket) that will be held in the old Forever 21 by Best Buy. It includes the ability to participate in three different crafts anytime on Friday (from 4-8 p.m.). These activities include personalizing a Trompe L’oeil-esque Bud Vase which you can later decorate with one to three flowers, creating a bag charm with All That Glitters and decorating a retro coin squeeze pouch with suggested or preferred phrasing. In addition, Free Friday Flair is another event occurring the same day. This one includes three free craft workshops that are located throughout the mall at Best Buy (Aquarium Court), Macy’s (Center Court) and Von Maur (Buffalo Court). Further information about the exact craft will have to be discovered in person, but we do know that they are self-guided and inspired by the craft fest poster. Despite Friday’s shorter day, there is still plenty available to entertain.

Moving on to Saturday, March 7, Unglued Craft Fest opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. with a schedule packed full of several free workshops and a cheap paid craft opportunity, alongside all the wonderful vendors who are showcasing and selling their beautiful art.

First, let’s look at the free workshops. There are eight total at varying times throughout the day all located at designated workshop spaces in the old Forever 21. However, there is also a catch: only the first 20 people will be able to participate, but you may begin lining up 20 minutes before in an effort to secure your spot.

Beginning with the morning workshops, at 10 a.m. and going until 11 a.m., Carnivorous Plants with Baker Garden and Gift will be held for children eight and older at workshop space #1. At the same time, Vintage Style Puff Paint Tote with The 1889 will be available for ages 12 and older (including adults) at workshop space #2. Also beginning at 10 a.m. and going until noon is Drop-in Button Making with Handpicked Goods. This is open to all ages and located at workshop space #3. What a packed morning with so much opportunity!

Moving on to the afternoon workshops, from 1-2 p.m. is Wreaths with Crooked Lane Farm for middle schoolers and up at workshop space #2. Then, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Parachigo is sponsoring Make a Silly Horn for kids at workshop space #1. Next is DIY Resin Bookmarks from 2:30-3:30 p.m. with the Fargo Public Library for ages middle school and up at workshop space #2. Following is Crochet 101 with Parachigo from 3-4 p.m. for middle schoolers and above at workshop space #1. Finally, from 4-5 p.m. is Shamrock Slime with the Fargo Public Library for children ages 5-12. Phew! What an event schedule and all for free!

But wait, there’s more! Alongside all these free workshops is the opportunity to create a $5 craft at the Fountain Court outside of JC Penney’s. These activities include creating a Decoden Faux Whipped Frosting Key Fob with Floral Charms (10 a.m.-12 p.m.), a Floral Bolo Tie (12-2 p.m.), Watercolor Bouquets (2-4 p.m.), and Rolled Beeswax Candles (4-5:30 p.m.).

Who planned this? Truly excellent work and such intriguing craft options!

Go for the vendors, buy yourself something you’ve been wanting or that catches your eye, check out the workshops, make a free craft and try out the scavenger hunt. With so much to do, you are guaranteed to find something enjoyable. And for students and faculty, what an amazing opportunity to refresh and liven up the mind after completing the first half of the Spring 2026 semester.

For more information visit https://www.ungluedmarket.com/annualcraftfest.