Rona Rich has made her vision a reality.
What began as a mediocre fundraising event for Silk & Satin, Baker High School’s 22-member jazz ensemble, has evolved into a monster-size craft show, thanks to Rich’s hard work. Not to mention the entire community can benefit from this one-stop shopping extravaganza, which will snake through the rooms and hallways of Baker High School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday.
“We have tripled in size to become a great opportunity for holiday shopping,” Rich said.
The event features more than 100 crafters and vendors who will be set up in the small gym, hallways and throughout the building. There is no duplication of vendors (such as Avon) and all items featured in the cafeteria will be 100 percent handmade.
“We try to get a good mix of crafters and vendors,” Rich said.
In addition to the shopping experience, Silk & Satin members will operate a concession stand offering lunch items (Hoffmann hotdogs, pulled pork sandwiches, Gino and Joe’s pizza, chicken sandwiches, chili, Abbott’s apples, doughnuts and more) and a bake sale of individual servings for participants to eat right at the show. The group will also provide entertainment with performances at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the cafeteria.
“Where else can you get a cheap lunch, show and shopping,” Rich said adding that dining tables will be available for participants.
Another bake sale will be held in the gym where shoppers can purchase whole cakes, pies and cookies, all of which are donated by Silk & Satin family members.
“It’s a good way to buy your Thanksgiving pie and have it for the holidays,” Rich said. “They are festive also with scarecrows and other decorations — not just a tin container.”
More to bargain for
If shopping, lunch and entertainment aren’t enough, Silk & Satin will also be raffling off more than $1,800 worth of door prizes, donated by parents, businesses and crafters. Rich said an item should be raffled off every few minutes of the six-hour event. Two noteworthy raffle items are a quilt donated by Karen Abbott of Abbott’s Farms (whose daughter is in Silk & Satin) and a prom ball package containing a collection of different items and gift certificates for flowers, hair styling, jewelry and more. Tickets for raffle items are $1 each or six tickets for $5.
Silk & Satin will also raffle off a framed and matted artwork piece by Paul Niemiec Jr. titled “Halloween” ($295 value). Tickets for this raffle are $5 each.
Keeps growing and growing
As of last Wednesday, Rich had 100 crafters and more were signing up. Rich began to recruit crafters who were originally participating in a Bear Road Elementary craft fair that fell through. Those crafters will fill the upstairs hallway at Baker.
“I’m really happy about the variety of vendors,” Rich said, adding the different crafters feature stained glass, blown glass, pottery, candles, soaps, baskets, quilts, ceramics, leather crafts, wood work, needle work, wreaths, painted art, jewelry and more. Most of the crafters are from Central New York, and about half are from the Greater Baldwinsville area.
“I really hope people understand this is a way to help in the community that stays in community,” Rich said. “Get a jump on your holiday shopping, come for lunch, hear a concert from Silk & Satin and support the music department all in one afternoon.”
With elevators operating and handicap drop off available for those who need the service, the entire event will be accessible to everyone. A shuttle bus will also loop through campus parking lots providing transportation directly to the event for participants.
“We have made an effort to be handicap accessible and convenient,” said Colin Keating, director of choral music.
NYC bound
This weekend’s event benefits Silk & Satin trips and projects such as an anticipated competition in New York City in April (last year the group participated in a Boston competition where they took the first place trophy and a gold with distinction award) and a studio recording in the spring.
“We have increased the size and capacity of the fundraiser hoping to knock out a bigger chunk of the two events,” Keating said, adding that last year’s event paid for a portion of the Boston trip.
“[Silk & Satin is] a phenomenal group that just keeps getting better and better. These are stand out kids deserving of our support and I think they should be celebrated for their talent,” Rich said.
Local business contributors
“The response from businesses and crafters has been overwhelming,” Keating said. “Now it’s our hope the community will come out to support those businesses, crafters and Silk & Satin.”
On behalf of Silk & Satin, Rich and Keating thanked the following vendors who helped make this event possible: Gino & Joe’s Pizza, P&C Foods, Wegman (Route 31), Kinney Drugs, The Nantucket Cat, Traders Antiques Bazaar, Styleworks Salon, LaTresse Salon, Jerrys’ Florist, Nobles Flower Gallery, Abbott’s Farm and Danny Magowan of Balloon Affairs.
“Every time I have gone to a store [requesting donations], they’ve always said yes,” Rona said. “In order to ensure crafters return next year, we need a good turn out from the community.”
