Food craft, guitar craft and beer craft are just three of the new crafts brought into the mix at the 38^th Tasmanian Craft Fair.

Two of the many highlights include hydrowood displays and fly fishing demonstration as well as visiting artisans from Cambodia and a project to recognise and encourage mental health mateship for local farmers.

Hydrowood is a truly unique Tasmanian timber harvested in one of Australia’s most ambitious forestry projects.

Species such as Tasmanian Myrtle, Sassafras and even the legendary Huon Pine will once again be available in quantities that the world thought it would never see again after being harvested from deep below the waters of Lake Pieman after the Pieman River was dammed to create hydro-electricity.

Displays and masterclasses are scheduled each day at the Hydrowood exhibition.

Also being welcomed are artisans from Cambodia working with the head of Jayavarman VII in stone, the Wooden Royal Elephant as well as a display of their top crafts of lacquered panels and containers, silver plated boxes, scarves, bags and accessories made from their own silk farm in Cambodia, home furnishings and sandstone and wooden carvings.

Created as the offshoot of an educational project in the 1990s, Artisans Angkor has now become a Cambodian semi-public social company that aims to provide job opportunities to young rural people near their home village.

This year’s fair director Lesley Dare has a focus on more active participation within the displays.

“We’re hoping people don’t just come to view and buy wonderful creations, but also that they’ll walk away entertained and inspired with new knowledge too,” she said.

“We’d love to see our locals be global advocates for the fair. It’s a great time to invite friends from interstate or overseas to join you for a day or two at the fair. Who knows what you’ll find?”

The event is volunteer run by the Rotary Club of Deloraine. Funds raised this year will purchase a new rescue combination tool, also known as jaws of life, for the local Meander Valley SES.