Pennridge High School is preparing for its Winter Craft Fair that will occur on December 13 from 10 a.m. to 3p.m.. There will be festive crafts, food, live music, and a special visit coming from the North Pole, Santa Claus. The fair will be free for everyone to attend. It is going to draw families and friends across Perkasie, Montgomery County, and Upper and Central Bucks County.
The event is being organized by the Pennridge Class of 2026 student executive council as a fundraiser for future class events, such as prom and other senior activities. The advisor of the Class of 2026 council, Stefanie Iaterolla, had the idea of having a craft fair last year as a way to give students a chance to build strong leadership skills, as well as a good way to raise money. “It’s a nice way to get the whole community together”, she said. “Being a part of it is really special, seeing the kids step up.” Stefanie Iaterolla said.
This year’s fair will have nearly 100 vendors involved that will offer baked goods, handmade gifts, holiday crafts, and much more. Visitors can also enjoy some food trucks, a coffee station, Matt’s Market, raffle baskets, and live music. Kids will have a chance to do activities and visit Santa to take photos. Getting vendors to be involved was easy due to the interest from the community. “We sent it out, and so many people responded,” Iaterolla said. “It ended up being a first-come, first-served.”
Planning for the event starts early in the school year. Students have been really busy preparing games, organizing the Santa backdrop, setting up holiday decorations, collecting payments, and creating a schedule for the event. “ A lot goes into it,” she said. “The students have been working really hard.” One of the local vendors attending is Johann Sheppard, an FCS teacher here at Pennridge who runs a small macaron business. This will be her first year participating in the fair. She began preparing more than two weeks ago, just spending a full week on baking and spending the rest of the time designing and printing labels. “It’s a lot of work,” she said, “but events like this are great for small businesses. It helps us get our name out there and showcase our talents.” For Sheppard, the highlight of the fair will be meeting new people in the community and building clientele. “My business started as a fun hobby, so I’m excited to share it with more people,” she said. The event got attention from Facebook and flyers posted around town.
Whether you’re looking for presents, supporting small businesses, or just getting into the holiday spirit, with holiday music, gifts, and activities, the Winter Craft Fair has something for everyone.
