MILFORD – On Saturday and Sunday, April 10 and 11, the Spring Specialty Food & Artisan Show will take place at the Hampshire Dome, Emerson Road, featuring more than 100 crafters and artisans, in addition to incredible homemade eats and food bits and bobs. Entry is $5 and is valid for both days. Children 14 and under FREE.

Owner of Great New England Events and this weekend’s organizer Jody Donohue, who is also a director at Hampshire Hills Athletic Club (where the Hampshire Dome is located), expects a great showing by exhibitors and visitors alike.

“This particular spring show is our fourth year running,” she said. “But we started doing events, like our fall show, six years ago. And because of its demand and popularity, we added the spring show.”

Donohue said there will be 105 exhibitors consisting of specialty food artisans, craftsmen and artisans – all regional.

With COVID, Donohue stressed how safe the event will be, especially considering that it’s taking place in the Hampshire Dome’s with its 94,000 square feet of space.

“It is a safe event,” she stressed. “I worked closely with the TASK force last year and I was able to have five successful shows last year because I have the venue. The dome is also well-ventilated in the sense that it’s an air-supported structure. So, it’s made to lose air. It has two turbo jet fans that blow air in and it escapes through the 70′ high fabric ceiling.”

Exhibitor booths will be spaced ten feet apart from each other, and there are wide, 15′ one-way aisles. Donohue said there will be screening upon entry plus there will be outdoor booths as well.

“There will be outdoor seating and socially-distanced tables,” she said. “That’s where the food trucks will be.”

Inside, the café will have a cash bar with beer and wine and will offer its own lunch menu. And, Donohue said, there will be four TVs and socially-distanced seating inside as well.

“In the center, there will be a stage with live music,” she added. “We’ve left that area much larger.”

With ample space and massive jet fans, Donohue said the key is masking and practicing social distancing.

“The fire department will be there at all times,” she said. “This is about fun but with safety in mind.”

Highlights include Chocolate Moonshine from Burlington, Massachusetts, who will exhibit their gourmet fudge and confections.

“They make hand-painted and hand-crafted chocolates,” Donohue said. “They were featured on ‘Good Morning America.'”

Guests can also enjoy freshly crafted cannolis from one exhibitor; another will be showcasing homemade jams and jellies.

Donohue said there will be plenty of gluten-free offerings as well.

“I have a bakery from Salem coming and all their baked goods are gluten free,” she said. “Their whoopie pies, brownies, pies, cookies and breads are all gluten free.”

Other foods for diehard foodies include chocolate martinis, chocolates, fudge, toffee, oils and vinegars, BBQ sauces, hot sauces, salsas, freshly roasted coffees and maple syrups and honey. There will be raffles and a cash door prize.

For those not watching their figures: chocolate dipped Oreos and chocolate dipped pretzels.

Craft wares include scarves, glassware, wood products, metal art apparel and much more.

Donohue recommended that some folks may want to come in the early afternoon, as early mornings are very busy.

The hours on Saturday are 10 – 4; Sunday 10 – 3.

For more information, visit gnecraftartisanshows.com. Tickets may be purchased at ticketleap.com and anyone with advance tickets can skip the line.