ABOVE: The Odin Craft Mill in Odin. The popular, seasonal craft show is now open for the next two weekends.

ODIN — A visit to the Odin Craft Mill is a beloved tradition for many. As it’s a biannual event, the Fall Craft and Gift Show officially opened for the season on Thursday, Oct. 9. Owner Nancy Olson is elated to begin the 25th annual tradition and keep the town a must-visit destination.

“I anticipate it to be very busy with people who are anxious for homemade things,” Olson said.

With a significant number of consignment merchants from different towns, counties and even states, the show displays and sells a variety of unique, hand-crafted items, including jams, baked goods, furniture, homemade yard art, jewelry, reclaimed pieces, repurposed items, holiday decorations, pottery and more. Olson concurred that there is a ‘little bit of everything’.

“We are packed to the rafters with good stuff. There is so much new stuff in here. The beef tallow is a new item. There are just so many new things that have come out that the women and gentlemen are building, making. It’s a good variety, everybody’s tastes are different, so they can find anything they like here,” Olson said. “I look forward to what’s ahead of us as far as the future and what they’re going to bring me for looks.”

According to Olson, 90 percent of the items are completely locally homemade. She also recognizes the show as an opportunity for guests to support and shop from small, local businesses and communities.

“If the people want small business, they have to support small business, and that would be coming out and seeing what we’ve got to offer. They can enjoy the country atmosphere here. We’re in a small town of 100 people, and it’s just very rural and it’s fun to come out of the cities and see small towns and what we’re doing,” Olson said.

In addition to finding an item to take home, guests are able to immerse themselves in the historical site, which has been standing since the 1920s.

Olson acknowledges the show as an important tradition to Odin, and aims to keep each guest happy.

“I just want the people to come and enjoy the other people’s talents, a good lunch and visiting with their neighbors that they probably haven’t seen for a long time,” Olson said. “I’ve made so many friends. My consigners are like family to me now, and so many visitors come in here that I know them by name. That’s what motivates me, is seeing people say, ‘oh wow, what a deal’, and that’s what brings me back.”

Following this show, Olson will begin preparations for the 2026 spring show, which will be held from late April through early May. She explained with a chuckle that hosting the two shows and operating the Odin Craft Mill tends to be a year-round job; however, she enjoys it greatly.

“It’s grown from leaps and bounds. I started with 55 consigners and now I have 150. I’ve added on buildings, and it’s grown a lot in the 25 years,” Olson said. “The people themselves and what they are interested in when they walk in the door [has changed]. So it’s fun to watch the change of everything around me and what’s going on.”

Odin Craft Mill’s Fall Craft and Gift Show will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays (final date is Sunday, Oct. 26) at the Odin Craft Mill, located at 109 1st Street in Odin. For more information regarding the event, visit the Facebook page, “Odin Craft Mill”, or website, www.odincraftmill.com.

“Just come on out and see what we’ve got to offer. Come and have a good time. It’s just fun to be around people,” Olson encouraged.