People love this show because there's so much diversity," said Marilyn Hobday, describing the spring Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show. "There's something for everyone's pocketbook. We try to make sure we have enough diversity with prices that everybody can find something that they love. That's important to us."

The show will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside at Root's Country Market & Auction, 705 Graystone Road, Manheim.

It will feature 60 vendors, showcasing and selling a wide variety of arts and crafts.

"We have a guy who does these huge, hand-turned bowls. They're beautiful," Hobday shared. "We have an artist who takes old metal pieces and makes some really cool sculptures out of them. We have a quilt maker. We have two people who do custom-made greeting cards. Everything in the show is juried, and it has to be handmade by the artists attending the show."

A committee chooses the artists who will participate in the show, with artists coming from across the state and from Maryland and New Jersey. Hobday personally scouts smaller shows throughout the region, talking to artists and encouraging them to join her shows.

"We have amazing people on the committee who have been in business for a very long time - potters, jewelers, painters, sewing," she said. "We're not just a random group of people making decisions on things we don't know about. We know what we're looking for."

Hobday organizes a spring and fall show, and each year, attendees can support a local nonprofit.

This year's recipient is the Columbia Cat Action Team (CCAT).

"They trap, neuter, spay and release cats," Hobday said. "So far, over 700 cats have been saved by the program."

The organization will have an information table set up at the show, with opportunities for people to donate to the cause.

"They'll also sell items to raise money for their cause," Hobday said.

She learned about the organization after attending a meeting where she met a roomful of volunteers dedicated to the efforts.

"I have cats, and they are all adopted," she said. "I think it's really special that we're going to support an organization that supports cats."

Hobday, who grew up in Columbia, has an art gallery in town. She lives in Landisville and was an art teacher in the Hempfield School District for 25 years.

A watercolor artist, she'll display her work at the show, and she also believes in the importance of supporting other artists.

"I mentor artists," she said. "We always have at least five or six emerging artists who are part of our shows, to give them a chance to find out what this is all about."

This is the seventh year for the spring show, but the fall Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft show has been going strong for almost 40 years.

"We get about 20,000 customers to our fall show," Hobday said. "In the spring, we get between 5,000 and 10,000 people. We're trying to grow our spring show."

The fall event attracts artists from as far away as Maine and Florida. CCAT will also be the beneficiary of that show, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6.

Food will be available at the spring show from Root's Market vendors, and wine will be sold by York-based Lavender Acres Winery.

Hobday said it's important to her that the event support both the artists participating and the nonprofit beneficiary.

"I believe in education about art, because I was a teacher," she said. "And this is not a money-making event for us. Everything goes to the charity. I always want my artists to be happy, and I want the charity to be happy. We work really hard to explain at the info booth what we're trying to accomplish at this show."

The show is free to attend, and parking is free. For more information, visit http://www.hlcshow.com.