CROOKSVILLE - Pottery time has arrived and the Hull Pottery Association will hold its 14th annual convention, show and sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 10, at the Crooksville High School. Admission is $3, and visitors will find many rare and unusual pieces.

Joe and Betty Yonis, assisted by Kenny and Linda Williams, Al and Nancy Dennis and Stella Frash, started the organization in 1994. In 1996 it became an association. What began as a small group of Hull Pottery admirers has grown into a nationwide organization with more than 800 members.

Pottery enthusiasts will find the annual Crooksville-Roseville Pottery Festival jam-packed with activities. This year's festival will be held in the Crooksville Park. The official opening ceremonies will be held at the National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center at noon July 12, with the breaking of the first collectable plate followed by the collectable plate auction.

Activities at the park will include a pig judging contest, a pie judging contest followed by the pie auction, live music daily, pottery demonstrations and a Sermon from the Wheel with the Rev. Roy Storer on Sunday morning.

The Pottery Festival Queen, Junior Miss and Princess Pageant will be held at 6 p.m. July 12, with the queen being crowned at 6:30 p.m.

Gift shoppers will find unique pottery gift items during the festival. A special limited edition Robinson Ransbottom Collectable Crock designed by Gloria Meranda will be for sale during the festival and Beaumont Brothers Pottery, 315 East Main St., will have a sale during July. People come from all over the country to buy locally-made pottery.

"We have a complete dinner line set, pitchers, crocks, open jugs, wine coolers. We've got a little bit of everything and its all handmade and painted," said Susi Adams, Beaumont secretary.

Other potteries producing in the area are Heritage Stoneware and New Burley Winter Pottery Company, at 50 China St., and Burley Clay in Roseville.

New Burley Winter Pottery Company has reissued some pieces from the original Burley Winter Pottery which operated from 1872 to 1937, as well as creating new designs. Its ware is made from locally-mined clay. Pieces will be for sale at the Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center in Roseville.

In conjunction with the festival, the 11th annual Crooksville-Roseville Pottery Festival Cruise-In will take place at noon Sunday, July 16, at the Roseville Recreation Center. The first 50 cars entered will receive a dash plaque but it is not a judged show. Trucks and motorcycles can enter the show, too. There will be door prizes, a 50/50 drawing and music provided by WYBZ-FM.

Live entertainment will be featured throughout the day as well as pottery demonstrations and sales tables. Food vendors will offer all your favorite festival foods so plan to attend the festival that celebrates the area's heritage, The Pottery Festival.