The 36th annual Mayor’s Craft and Country Fair that was canceled after a state Tax Department crackdown on "cash economy" businesses has been rescheduled for Dec. 4 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall’s Hawaii Suites, Mayor Peter Carlisle announced this afternoon.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.

"I’m very pleased that the seniors who make this event so special will have the opportunity to share their wonderful crafts with everyone," Carlisle said in a statement.

The fair originally was scheduled for Saturday but was canceled on Monday by city parks and recreation officials after a raucous scene at the Kailua Open Market on Oct. 28, when shoppers yelled at two Special Enforcement Unit agents from the state Tax Department and Honolulu police were called. 

Yesterday, Carlisle took responsibility for the abrupt cancellation and vowed to get it back on track.

"This was a mistake made by the City and County of Honolulu," Carlisle said yesterday. "We’re responsible for it, and now it’s our obligation to do everything we can to try to set this right."

Today’s announcement from Carlisle said that city officials will work with vendors and state tax agents to address concerns from vendors attending the Mayor’s Craft and Country Fair.

For more information, participating seniors may call City Recreation Specialist Randy Yasuhara at 768-3045.