Sky North of Ohio Family Glass Shop works on a piece duing last year's Christmas at The Highlands at the Highlands Sports Complex. (File Photo)

The sights, sounds, foods and crafts of Christmas are set to return in early November to the Highlands Sports Complex.

The annual “Christmas At The Highlands” craft show is set to happen from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 7-8, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the facility.

Admission costs $3, and proceeds benefit the Wayne Wilhelm Memorial Scholarship fund that provides scholarships for career and technical students at Wheeling Park High School.

Visitors also are encouraged to bring a card to the craft show or fill one out while they are there to wish military personnel a Merry Christmas from the Ohio Valley.

In addition, those attending will be able to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets during the event.

Organizer Kevin Carroll, also owner of A Touch Of Amish. is organizing “Christmas At The Highlands.” He said he is continuing to look for “unique” vendors for the craft show.

So far, 250 spaces are sold for the event, and he explained he has actually turned down another 200.

“We are West Virginia’s largest craft show, and we pride ourselves on having a variety of crafts and vendors,” he said. “We deny over 200 vendors a year to avoid duplicates, and so that we can have a variety of vendors from around the country.”

Vendors will be coming from as far away as Alabama and New York.

Carroll reported that among the new things this year is that there will be more wineries present at the show. Last year there was just one winery present, and he noted there will be at least four this year offering different products.

The event has steadily grown since moving from WesBanco Arena in 2022. Carroll estimates traffic has increased by 1,000 people each year.

He expects more than 8,000 people to attend the event.

“In the past we have had long lines, but last year we corrected that,” Carroll said. “Now the process is streamlined.”

This year those wanting to attend also will be able to pre-purchase tickets so that they can skip the lines, he added. Tickets will be available for sale on the Highlands Sports Complex website about two weeks prior to the event, according to Carroll.

Also new this year will be a sensory hour for those with family members having autism and sensitivity to crowds and noise.

“From 9-10 a.m. on Saturday they can come in and walk around,” Carroll said. “There will be no music — just straight silence. And there will be no crowds.”

As in past years, shuttles will be available to transport visitors to and from parking lots throughout The Highlands to the show at the sports complex.

“This is a better facility/complex,” Carroll said. “Working with the Highlands Sports Complex has been great. It’s also a very clean facility.”

Those wanting more customer or vendor information about the event should consult kcproductionswv.com.

And Christmas At The Highlands is not the only craft show event Carroll has in the works.

“Fall Fest In the Hills” is taking place this weekend at Brooke Hills Park in Wellsburg. Events there will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

A $3 charge for parking will go toward maintenance at the park.