What an incredible day it was! Our annual craft fair was a vibrant celebration of creativity, connection, and community. 70 vendor booths filled the high school gym and commons from all over The Ozarks! We’ll share the highlights of the event, announce our raffle winners, and relive some picturesque moments from the day. Let’s dive right in!
Highlights from the Craft Fair
Our first craft fair showcased the talent of over 70 regional artisans and enthusiastic crafters. Visitors were welcomed by rows of colorful booths, each offering unique handmade items. In the commons, the unique birdhouses and bird feeders by Denise Henry were showcased along with glass work by local artisan Brian Stuart. The colorful textiles from Amy Tennison and family of The Yellow Frog captivated onlookers.
In the main gym, 67 additional booths filled the space. Nearly twenty student entreprenuers participated from 1st graders through seniors in high school. Numerous staff in the district had booths such as Erica Linegar and sons Ethan and Elliott, Paige Cyrus, Carrier Dresslar, Andrea Chavez, and more.
"We got to know our neighbors and friends even better. There are so many people who are creative, and I didn't know that side of them until today." said Simone Patton who sold her handmade soaps and bath salts at her booth along with her daughters who made custom stickers.
The variety highlighted the depth of creativity in our community.
The aroma of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, thanks to our local bakers. Our partners at Walmart also provided savory spaghetti meals for hungry attendees with sale proceeds benefiting Children's Miracle Network.
All vendor booth fees raised funds for PTO activities such as teacher and staff appreciation events.
The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and creativity, as students and adults participated in hands-on crafting workshops. More than 500 people attended the event, plus 70 vendors and over 30 volunteers. Hopefully everyone left feeling inspired to unleash their artistic potential.
Student involvement!
A major highlight of the craft fair was the student involvement! In addition to 20 student entrepreneurs, fifteen students had roles as volunteers. They were crowd greeters, hospitality for vendors and even had important roles with public speaking over the P.A. system.
The PTO gave away $250 to twenty-five student participants and student volunteers so they could bless vendors with purchases.
We hope all their participation helped build confidence and character in their lives.
Announcing Our Raffle Winners!
Another highlight of the craft fair was the raffle! With an impressive array of donated items from local artists, attendees eagerly visited our vendors with their passports to get an entry into the great giveaway! Here are the lucky winners:
First Gift Basket: The first went to Abbigail Winkler
Second Gift Basket: A second one went to Rita Bussard
Third Gift Basket: A third was claimed by Larinda Conrad
Sample of the items in the gift baskets. Photo credit: Stephanie DeJong-Kluver Photography, PTO Member
Congratulations to all the winners! These prizes were crafted with love, and we hope they bring you as much joy as we experienced in bringing them to our event.
Our Favorite Memories Captured
The day was more than just crafts and raffles; it was about building community connections! Here are a few of our favorite moments captured that symbolize the spirit of the event.
Friends and families came together, supporting local creators.
"We hit all the mission points with this one! We hope these activities made participants feel they were part of something special, reinforcing the sense of belonging we all cherish within our community." said Erica Abell-Holland, PTO Member and event chair.
Gratitude to Our Volunteers and Partners
This spectacular day wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless work of our volunteers. From planning, logistics, communication to managing the raffle, setting up booths, hospitality, and serving meals, every person involved contributed to the fair's success.
Local businesses and organizations stepped up to support our event, showcasing their dedication to the community. Thank you for nurturing entreprenuerism and supporting the mission of Reeds Spring Schools PTO.
Thank you, Steph DeJong-Kluver Photography, Card My Yard Branson, Reed Spring Schools, Walmart and all our volunteers!
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on this year’s craft fair, we are filled with excitement for future events! We are already brainstorming ideas for next year’s fair. What new crafts will shine? What fun activities will captivate the crowd? Our team is eager to explore more ways to engage our audience and turn our dreams into reality.
To stay in the loop about upcoming events, please subscribe to our newsletter or check our website. We want you to be the first to know about future crafting adventures!
Join Us Next Time!
Our craft fair was a resounding success, filled with family involvement, student mentorship, community engagement, stunning displays of creativity, and delightful connections. Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and supported our first craft fair. Your involvement makes our community vibrant and special.
We look forward to seeing you at our next gathering, where we will again celebrate creativity and community together. Until then, keep crafting and spreading joy!
Save the date: November 1, 2025
Remember, it’s the little moments that matter. Together, we can make a big difference in making our community a beautiful place to live. Keep an eye on our website and fb page for updates, and happy crafting!
With heartfelt thanks,
The Community Connects Craft Fair Committee
View even more photos from the craft fair at Steph DeJong-Kluver Photography
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