COLLINSVILLE – When one door closes, open a bigger door.
COVID-19 pandemic restrictions at Edwardsville High School caused organizers to move the 28th Annual Craft Fair for the Edwardsville High School Marching Tigers to the Gateway Center in Collinsville over the weekend.
An estimated 5,000 shoppers and nearly 300 vendors took advantage of the much larger space to do socially-distanced holiday shopping while supporting one of the area's most successful high school music programs.
Lisa Cwiklowski of Bridgeton, Missouri was toting a wooden reindeer she had just purchased on Saturday at the craft fair.
“It's adorable, and then when I looked at the price I couldn't pass it up,” Cwiklowski said. “I've bought several presents, it's the perfect place to shop. It's exciting to see all of the different crafters and it's a great way to start the holidays.”
Melissa McCarthy of St. Louis had just purchased a small Christmas tree because “I love white trees and I love this basket. I love to decorate and have family over, just the change in season is nice, and it is absolutely nice to get out,” she added.
“A little bit of Christmas stuff” was in Dawn Supp's bag.
“I'm trying to spruce up the house more. It makes me happy because I can find good deals and nice things to give to people that others have made,” said Supp, of Troy. “It's very nice to get out and not have to stay home any more. In fact I'm going to go put Christmas stuff up now.”
There were plenty of unique items for sale at the craft fair, although no one could argue that Russell Glenn's giant insects crafted from recycled ceiling blades were among the most unusual.
“I've always liked making stuff, especially stuff that has been repurposed,” said Glenn, of Highland. “This is all recycled or used materials. It's great to be here, and it's good to be back out and be able to do this again.”
Highland resident Tom Beckman had a “great location and great sales today.”
“I'm always in the holiday spirit when it comes to this time of year,” Beckman said. “People are really excited to be here to shop and buy gifts for everyone. It makes you appreciate the opportunity to do it, especially after last year.”
Funds raised through the craft fair help to pay for the rights to the music played during the band’s marching and concert seasons. The revenues also help to purchase and repair instruments, acquire uniforms and performance props, and cover transportation and competition fees.
The Edwardsville Marching Tigers placed fifth out of 42 bands at the state competition this year, the school's best-ever finish. The Edwardsville Band Boosters were able to host the Tiger Ambush Classic marching band competition in September, but all of last year's major fundraising events had to be canceled due to the pandemic.
When Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 officials determined that the size and expected attendance of the event would not meet current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines at the school, organizers had one week to find an alternate location.
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November 15, 2021 at 04:51AM
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Marhing Tigers' craft fair kicks off holiday season - The Edwardsville Intelligencer
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