With Christmas approaching, residents of Shorewood and surrounding communities came together Saturday to get into the holiday spirit.
Trinity Christian School held its first-ever Christmas craft and vendor fair and bake sale Dec. 5, and holiday cheer was lined up from wall to wall, as more than 50 local vendors set up shop.
Christi Neill, special events coordinator at Trinity Christian, said the school has been amazed by the interest it generated in the community by hosting the fair.
“We thought it would be a great way to get involved in the community,” she said.
School officials promoted the event using newspaper ad space and Facebook.
According to the school’s Facebook page, more than 100 people said they would be in attendance for the craft and vendor fair.
Neill said the fact that the craft and vendor fair helps in supporting small businesses and local families is key. On that day, vendors would keep all proceeds gained by setting up booths on campus and profits gained at the bake sale would go back to the school.
Alisyn Chamberlain, of Joliet, mirrored that sentiment. She attended the event with her son to take a look at what the local vendors were offering.
“It helps to see the different types of businesses represented,” Chamberlain said, adding that she’s glad she heard about the event, in part, because it helps people in the community.
Shorewood resident Stacy Gladkowski was at the fair with her friend and her daughter, a kindergartener at Trinity Christian School.
“Handmade crafts, that’s what we’re here for,” she said.
Gladkowski said they had just left a different craft sale in the area before heading over to Trinity Christian, adding that they too were interested in seeing all local vendors had to offer.
“They actually have Christmas things,” Gladkowski said. “You’d be surprised how many craft sales don’t have Christmas things.”
Joanna Jolly, of Joliet, heard about the event through her children who attend the school. She said Christmas is a wonderful time for her because she loves seeing her kids’ excitement.
“It’s been interesting walking around [seeing] the different booths,” she said. “It’s nice to come with my daughter and share this with her.”
Brooke Barajas, of Plainfield, was there in support of her mother’s small business, Coasters by Debbie.
“It’s nice to see how everyone has handmade gifts or items you can give as gifts,” she said.
She added that it’s nice to see the community supporting small businesses as they are and walking away satisfied.
“Craft events like this, you come up with an idea and there can be something for everyone,” she said, noting how wonderful it is seeing how the school supports local businesses.