Basket Village U.S.A

The Village of Dresden hosted their Annual Dresden Day Saturday afternoon.

Known as Basket Village U.S.A. The celebration is held each year in conjunction with the Longaberger Basket Convention in Columbus. Vendors come in from throughout the country to buy, sell and trade their Longaberger collection. Local Store Owner and Dresden Village Association member Bill Embree said the idea was originated by Founder Dave Longaberger and has since expanded.

"Some of the local people come out to enjoy the day and see what’s going on up here but most of the people are coming from out of the state," said Embree. "We really have them coming from all over the country, come here to see what they haven’t got, see if they can fill their void in their basket collection."

Embree said the day is a perfect opportunity to shop and buy local. He said for every sale made, Muskingum County receives one and one-half percent sales tax. It may not seem like much but the event can collect upwards of a half-million dollars each year for the county.

"What you got to keep in mind is this is an excellent opportunity for people to come up here and even shop for Christmas," I don’t want them to miss that opportunity, you can go to Branson or any place else and you have to travel that far to get that stuff you can come right here and get that stuff."

The event takes place only one day a year. Embree said sales are slightly down this year due to the economy.