The Kris Kringle Craft Show held by the Blind Center of North Carolina is changing venues and getting larger to accommodate a growing number of vendors.

Slated for Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, the craft show will take over First United Methodist Church on West Second Street in Washington, allowing ample space for eastern North Carolina crafters and artists.

“This year, the Beaufort County Arts Council is not having their annual Christmas craft show at the [Washington] Civic Center, so we decided to find a bigger venue and make the Kris Kringle Craft Show a bigger event to accommodate those who normally do the arts council show,” said Blair Bergevin, executive director of the Blind Center.

For many years, the Beaufort County Arts Council filled a niche for local Christmas holiday arts and crafts events, but with its move to the Turnage Theater in December 2013, the decision not to host an offsite show was made early in the year.

“Back in July, we started getting phone calls from vendors who normally would sign up for the arts council show. We didn’t even have to advertise for it. Two months ago, we were full,” Bergevin said. “The arts council gave us their list of vendors, but we never had to reach out to them because they called us.”

Jewelry crafters, potters, artists, makers of children’s clothes, makers of homemade jams, jellies and salsas will all be on hand for the two-day affair, in addition those selling handmade items the Blind Center clients make. In past years, the Kris Kringle show maxed out at around 20 vendors. This year, 35 have signed on to sell their handcrafted goods.

Bergevin said the show itself does not serve as a fundraiser for the Blind Center — it’s simply a way to support area crafters — but with the addition of a chicken and pastry dinner sale, organizers are hoping to change that. The $7 dinner tickets are being sold now and purchasers can pick up their dinners from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, the first evening of the craft sale.

By making it an “eat out” event, patrons are welcome to head over early to shop, then pick up dinner of chicken and pastry, green beans and a roll, Bergevin said.

The Kris Kringle Craft Show will take place at First United Methodist Church, 304. W. Second St., Washington, on Dec. 5,from noon to 6 p.m., and Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To purchase tickets for the chicken and pastry dinner, call the Blind Center at 252-946-6208.