"When you see 'arts and crafts fair,' you think of a few people setting up and selling their goods. But it's a lot more that," said Middletown Historical Society member Mike Dalton, event organizer, when describing the Middletown Arts & Crafts Fair. "We are always trying to think of something new to make it unique. We have something for everyone."

This 48th annual Middletown Arts & Crafts Fair will take place on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hoffer Park, 325 Mill St., Middletown. The fair, which will be held rain or shine, will also include food and beverages, children's activities and a car show.

The event, being presented by the Middletown Area Historical Society of Dauphin County, is held to celebrate the Middletown Resolves, a set of declarations declaring Middletown's independence from Great Britain in 1774 two full years before the United States Declaration of Independence was adopted.

"Forty-eight years ago, the borough of Middletown by resolution declared that this fair world take place to honor the Middletown Resolves," explained Dalton. "The Middletown Resolves are essentially Middletown's Declaration of Independence. (Middletown's) were written on June 10, 1774, and the event is held on the Saturday closest to (that date)."

The arts and crafts fair, offering free admission, will feature more than 150 craft vendors and a variety of food booths, which will be run by local organizations. "We will have everything from hot dogs and hamburgers and cheeseburgers to kettle corn, funnel cake, pulled pork, shaved ribeye steak sandwiches and walking tacos," Dalton stated. Desserts will include strawberry shortcake and Pennsylvania Farm Show milkshakes.

New this year will be a Kids Crafting Corner, where children will be able to make crafts of their own. Lowe's Home Improvement of Union Deposit and its DIY-U team will be on location to provide the first 200 youngsters with building kits. Additional craft projects will be provided by Cub Scout Pack 97 and other local organizations.

Musical entertainment during the fair will include the Lower Paxton Variety Band from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Middletown Area School District Steel Pan Band from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and Jim Rhoads One Man Band from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

A Cruise-In Car Show will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. "We typically see 30 to 50 antique and classic cars that people can check out," Dalton said.

At the Craft Beer & Wine Cafe, guests age 21 and over will be able to purchase adult beverages from Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works and Grandview Vineyard.

There will also be an opportunity to win gift baskets.

Fair attendees can park on public streets or at Fink Elementary School, 150 N. Race St., Middletown. Free shuttle transportation will be provided by Rohrer Bus Services to and from the school and the park.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the historical society and its mission to "collect, preserve and teach about the history of Middletown and the surrounding area." For more information, visit http://www.middletownareahistoricalsociety.org or search for "Middletown Area Historical Society of Dauphin County, PA" on Facebook.