Rochester Memorial School holds first ever holiday craft fair
Dec 7, 2019
This sign welcomed fairgoers. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Some of the donations to the Rochester Police Department. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Vendors line the sides of the gym. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Abigail Nunes, Juliana Pilhancos, Pakrer Luis, and Katlee Moraz sold Girl Scout cookies at the event. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
The PTO bake sale. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
From the Pages, by New Bedford crafter Margaret DeBartoli, brought a variety of holiday ornaments made from books. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
ROCHESTER — Stands with jewelry, beeswax products, Girl Scout cookies started in the gym and cafeteria at Rochester Memorial School and spilled out into the hall.
Kirstin Jimenez and her co-organizer Heather started organizing Dec. 7 event in July, after a previous fundraiser had low attendance.
The two were able to fill 34 of the 38 booths that they had room for. The Parent Teacher Organization was originally going to have the in the cafeteria, but in the last month and a half got enough additional vendors to be able to mostly fill the gym as well.
To attract vendors to the new event, Jimenez posted on craft and yard sale websites.
The PTO had a bake sale table at the event, and set up a variety of raffle baskets. All the vendors donated an item, and high school helpers helped to put together the baskets.
Jimenez said that the crafters commented that “for a first time fair [attendance has] been pretty good”
Attendees at the event were also encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy or non perishable food item to stuff a cruiser. The donations will be given to families in need.
