The Bonner County Historical Society started the annual arts and crafts fair in 1973. Initially it provided an outlet for local artists to sell their crafts. Pend Oreille Arts Council took over the event and has watched it grow into a major juried exhibition. Held on a weekend in August at the Sandpoint city beach, the fair draws artists from around the west, as well as tourists from throughout the region.
Although not usually represented at the arts and crafts festival, many nationally known artists live in the Pend Oreille region, drawing inspiration from their beautiful surroundings.
