Area residents have two opportunities to enjoy events on the St. Margaret’s School campus at the Ninth Annual Crafts Festival and River Run/Walk this weekend. Shoppers can pick up interesting and unique items at the craft festival that will be held on Friday, October 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in front of Brockenbrough House on Water Lane. Vendors will feature a wide variety of gifts, home décor and accessories, clothing, jewelry, and other items.

“We look forward to welcoming crafters and shoppers to our beautiful campus for a day of shopping and fun,” said SMS Director of Development Anne Hillegass. In case of inclement weather, the fair will be held in the Ball Memorial Gymnasium on the school’s campus.

Runners and walkers still have time to register for the 3-mile Rappahannock River Run/Walk which will take place at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 13. Participants who register prior to race day will receive an early-bird rate of $15 and are guaranteed a race T-shirt. To register, visit the River Run/Walk website at www.sms.org/run

Race-day registration will be held from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. in front of St. Margaret’s Hall and costs $20. The flat, fast course begins and ends at St. Margaret’s School and takes participants through Tappahannock’s historic district.

Last year, Douglas Marshall of Mathews won the men’s division and the race in 15.55 and Julia Smith of Tappahannock won the women’s division and came in third overall in 18.49. Prizes are awarded each year in a variety of age categories, in addition to special recognition for the top male, female, and Essex County resident.

The event is a community outreach project of the St. Margaret’s School Alumnae Association, which has used previous years’ proceeds to support campus renovation and beautification efforts.

Nearly 30 area merchants and organizations are helping to sponsor the run/walk, said Hillegass. To date, event sponsors include: Atkins Petroleum, Aylett Country Day School, Bank of Essex, Bank of Lancaster, Coffmans on the Coast, Crowther Heating and Air, Design Printing, Digital Wisdom, Esquire Services, Essex Inn, Essex Square Self Storage, EVB, Harborside Storage, Java Jacks, JKA Designs, June Parker Oil, Lowery’s, Northern Neck Gourmet, Panoply Computer Services, Parr’s Drive-in, Store-Tel Storage, Tappahannock Pharmacy, WRAR 105.5, Wal-Mart, and William G. Ryan, O.D. For more information about the crafts fair or race contact Anne Hillegass at (804) 443-3357 or email ahillega@sms.org