Not unlike art, crafts imitate life. But perhaps the most endearing thing about crafts is that they can be both functional and decorative.

All the subtle nuances of the concepts of craft will be on display on Saturday, April 29, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when Albright LIFE Lancaster, 417 W. Frederick St., Lancaster, hosts its inaugural Spring Craft Fair indoors. The free fair will feature food, fun, and, of course, a wide variety of crafts.

Organizers of the event are hoping that the way the Spring Craft Fair is presented will create a festive and community-based atmosphere.

"We were looking at ways to have a fundraiser," said Annette Kroeck, Albright LIFE's community outreach coordinator. "We thought starting small would be a great way to go, and we thought a craft fair would be a good idea, especially with how crafty Lancaster County is."

Expected to be on hand are a total of 16 crafters and vendors, who will be showing off their wares. There will be quilts, folded art, clay art, screen-printed T-shirts, jewelry, designer cookies, artistic candles and much more. The event will also include giveaway drawings.

"By holding it indoors, we can show off the building and what we have to offer," said Kroeck. "The more people who see the inside of the building, the better. We want to get the word out about Albright LIFE (Lancaster). It's also a way for our participants who are crafty to show off their work."

The Spring Craft Fair is the first community activity that Albright LIFE (Lancaster) has hosted in more than five years. Events were not held largely due to the pandemic Kroeck said, and providing public re-access to the facility has been "a slow process."

But she also said that if the inaugural Spring Craft Fair is a success, Albright LIFE Lancaster would consider staging a similar event in the future.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Asbury Foundation, the parent company of Albright LIFE Lancaster. Kroeck said she has modest expectations for the amount of funds that the Spring Craft Fair will raise. "A few hundred dollars to start out with would be great," she said.

"We want people to come happy," said Kroeck. "We're hoping it's a big success."

The LIFE in Albright LIFE Lancaster stands for living independence for the elderly, and its mission is to help people's health care needs in the community so they don't have to go to a nursing home or other care facility. Albright LIFE Lancaster is affiliated with Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).