The Fox High School Spring Craft Fair got off to a slow start likely because of heavy rain sweeping through the area on its first day, but shoppers still found time to purchase plenty of items, said Shelley Blecha, a Fox High School Parents’ Club member and event organizer.
Blecha said approximately 1,300 people shopped at the Parents’ Club annual spring event on March 7-8 at Fox High, and the club collected about $11,000.
“Saturday (March 7) was slower than normal, but with the storms, I think people stayed home,” Blecha said. “We definitely had more foot traffic on Sunday (March 8) with the beautiful weather. Spring is not the big craft fair, as far as the big money maker for the vendors, so it is expected by all to be slower.”
The Parents’ Club typically holds a craft fair in March and the Fall Craft Fair in November.
Last year, approximately 2,000 people shopped and the Parents’ Club collected about $12,000 at the spring fair, organizers said.
Blecha said about 140 vendors were at this year’s spring fair, which was held in the school’s common area and two gyms.
She said the Flavored Pickle Bar, 3D printing booths and Permalinx by J Bloom, which makes permanent jewelry, were among the most popular vendors.
“The 3D printing and jewelry make great Easter gifts, and the pickles are some of the best I have ever had,” Blecha said. “I always restock (on pickles) at the fairs. The permanent jewelry has become very popular, and many customers come back to add to their collection.”
Blecha said the Parents’ Club fairs benefit from having many vendors and customers return for each of the fairs every year.
“Many people come back fair after fair to shop their favorite vendors and in doing so find new ones,” she said. “This is how many of our vendors make a living, so these returning customers and new ones are essential.
“Having these returning vendors in turn draws people to our fair and makes our fair popular.”
Money from the fair will fund scholarships awarded to Fox High seniors to continue their education and will be used to fund school club activities, purchase items that Fox High teachers request for their classrooms, buy teacher lunches and pay for conference dinners.
Blecha said the club also expects to have enough money to buy an automated tarp system for the school’s gyms.
She said the Parents’ Club is looking forward to holding the fall fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at Fox High.
“The fall fair is the biggest fundraiser for us,” Blecha said. “This one (the spring fair) has got our feet wet for the busy holiday craft fair season.”