West District's 34th Craft Fair on Saturday

This Saturday, Unionville is the place to be for holiday events. In addition to the Jingle Bell Jubilee, the annual West District Craft Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school.

For the 34th annual fair more than 50 vendors, selling crafts, jewelry, candy and more will fill the school’s gym. The vast array ensures nearly everyone will be able to cross someone off the present list.

“[The craft fair] has become well known in the community. We have a great turnout every year and more than half our vendors have been coming for over 10 years,” said Julia Grieco, who’s organizing the fair this year. “In addition to faithful vendors, we have people who wait for them every year.”

There will also be rows of carefully composed themed gift baskets put together by the parents of each West District class, by vendors and some donated by businesses. Themes in the past have included family game night, spa, Home Depot and storm survival kits.

Food will be served in the cafeteria for the duration of the event or until the food runs out. The walking taco – heavily in demand – will return this year. In addition, fourth-graders will be holding a bake sale to help fund activities.

Santa Claus will visit with children, who can write letters and put them in Santa's mailbox and also make reindeer food.

Across the hall a cupcake room is filled with dozens of cupcakes, tubs of frosting and decorating supplies.

And kids can get their Christmas shopping done, too. The children’s craft table offers crafts made by students and parents for sale for a quarter to $1.50.

The event is the PTO’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“All proceeds allow us to give back to the kids and support the teachers, if the teachers have any specific needs for their classrooms,” Grieco said. “It also goes toward PTO-sponsored events and paying for equipment.”

The event comes together after months of organization and a busy 24 hours of preparations, thanks to the help of more than 50 volunteers. 

“We’re not only raising funds. There’s a lot coming from the West District families, including the kids,” Grieco said. “It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.”

The craft fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West District School, 114 West District Road, Unionville. Parking will be on the lawn with the direction of volunteers. There is no charge for admission.