The holidays are quickly approaching. Get a head start on your shopping at the Company B craft show all while supporting Baker High School’s vocal jazz ensemble.
“The craft fair is the vocal jazz students’ biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Rona Rich, who has coordinated the event for the past six years. Rich’s son was a member of the vocal jazz ensemble before graduating and pursuing a music theater degree from the University of Buffalo.
Held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Baker High School, the event has more than 140 booths sprawling throughout the ground floor of the school including the lobby, the cafeteria, the swimming pool hallway and both gyms. That means a wide selection of gifts and crafts including baskets, framed art, photography, candles, wreaths and floral arrangements, clothing, jewelry, food, pet products, wood working, soaps, stain glass and Holiday décor.
“There is something for everyone at the show,” Rich said. “It is a great place to start and finish your holiday shopping. You get to support the vocal jazz students, support our local crafters and get a jump on your shopping for the season all in one place.”
According to Rich, funds are raised through the student- and parent-run concession stand (featuring lunch items), bake sale (featuring a variety of baked goods including pies, cakes, breads and cookies) and through the selling of booth space to vendors at the show.
“It is a lot of work for each parent and student but a fun day to work together,” she said.
Student and parent volunteers also run the door prize booth.
“Each vendor generously gives a donation to the group to serve as a door prize,” Rich said, adding that tickets are sold and drawn throughout the day; approximately $1,000 worth of prizes are given away. Note that winners do not need to be present to win; simply write contact information on the back of door prize tickets.
The craft show is the kick off to Company B’s concert season with the vocal jazz ensemble performing a variety of selections chosen by Choral Director Colin Keating at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the cafeteria during the show.
“These are the very talented musicians,” Rich said of the vocal jazz ensemble. “They shine on stage and look forward to entertaining the community.”
And, according to Rich, the craft show patrons love the music.
“Some people stay for all three performances during the day,” she said. “Even our busy vendors love to catch a concert during the day. It is a unique craft fair with music, crafts, food and fun for everyone.”
The show is a true community effort as local businesses also get involved. Ginos and Joes Pizza provides the pizza for the concession stand, Abbott Farms donates pies for dessert and many other businesses provide gift cards to help with the cost of food and paper goods, Rich said.
“The shopping, the music and the food will remind you what a community can do when we all work together,” she added. “It teaches [the students] about service as well as what it is to be a citizen in this community.”
Rich encourages the public to check out the craft fair to support local crafters and vendors.
“The economy is getting better, but it is not great for everyone,” she said. “By buying a quality, handmade product, you are getting a wonderful holiday gift and helping support the families of our neighbors. The craft fair patron gets so much by coming to the show but they also give more than they might think.”
Parking attendants will be available on site to help patrons. There is also a shuttle bus to transport people from the lots to the front door. Handicap parking is available at the front of the high school as well as a drop off area.
