Treasures of the Heart Craft Fair Brings Community Together at Ramona Oaks Park
The San Diego Country Estates Valentine’s themed Craft Fair brought residents together for a festive afternoon of shopping and community connection, while also highlighting wildfire safety efforts through the Firewise program, which may lead to future insurance savings for homeowners.
Residents and visitors gathered at Ramona Oaks Park on Saturday, February 7, from 10 am to 2 pm. for the San Diego Country Estates Treasures of the Heart Craft Fair & Vendor Market, enjoying a festive day filled with local shopping, creativity, and community spirit. Despite 13 vendor booths canceling due to illness, the event remained lively, with 23 vendors offering a wide variety of handcrafted items, gifts, and seasonal décor.
Shoppers browsed tables featuring handmade jewelry, home décor, artwork, and Valentine’s-themed treats, making the fair a popular destination for those looking for unique gifts and meaningful ways to support local businesses. Families, friends, and neighbors gathered throughout the park, creating a welcoming and cheerful atmosphere.
One of the event’s most informative attractions was the Firewise booth, led by Susan Thygesen, who educated attendees about wildfire prevention and community preparedness. Thygesen shared how the Firewise program helps neighborhoods reduce fire risks through proactive planning and property maintenance. San Diego Country Estates recently submitted its application for Firewise recognition and is currently awaiting approval.
Once approved, the community may qualify for reduced homeowners’ insurance rates, providing a valuable benefit for residents. Thygesen encouraged homeowners to take part by learning simple steps to make their properties more fire-resistant. Signing up at the Firewise table was free, making participation easy and accessible for all interested residents.
SDCEA Recreation Manager, Amy Holsapple-Lueck, was excited to see new products brought by vendors to the craft fair for the holiday. “They always surprise me,” said Holsapple. There were over 100 people enjoying the craft fair on the warm, sunny day.
One of the booths featured needle felting. Lori Broadwater was selling her hand-crafted wool critters and offers needle felting classes to both youth and adults at Creative Coop. Needle felting involves stabbing roving or wool batting with a special barbed needle, so the fibers tangle and compact into shapes from flat designs to 3D sculptures.
Longtime SDCE resident, Karen Riedler, was at the Dael’s Designs booth buying hair scrunchies. Riedler brought her children to play at the park because it was forecasted to be 70 degrees and didn’t know the craft fair was happening. She was happy to see the booths and bought a bundle of hair scrunchies for gifts because there were so many patterns that reminded her of different people.
The Valentine’s Day Craft Fair once again demonstrated the strength and spirit of the San Diego Country Estates community. With dedicated vendors, engaged residents, and helpful local programs, the event offered more than just shopping—it created opportunities for connection, education, and long-lasting community support.
Photos by Tiffany Pressler.
