Alejandro Silva Rodelo

The Greeley West Craft fair mixed vendors with wrestlers this year and was one of the most attended events this year at West.

As December rolls around, so comes the festivities that bring the community together, most notably- the Greeley West community. Booster Club hosted the 4th annual Craft Fair where vendors can set up shop inside Greeley West and sell any products they wish. Products range from arts and crafts to baked goods that can be purchased from your very own Spartan community.

This has been only the 4th year that the Craft Fair has been running, and it has seen notable growth since its very first edition, as explained by Barbara Broderius who hosts and runs the craft fair.

“This year, it was suggested that the fair run with the wrestling tournament so it can get more attention from all the schools and the other communities coming in to support their wrestlers,” Broderius explained. “ I do appreciate the turnout with how many people are here.”

The festivities aren’t just for adults, Spartans are also at the fair either getting community service hours or planning to get ahead in Christmas shopping.

Freshman Abby Penn, who is a part of the Poms team at West, is one of the many volunteers who donated their time not only to come in but to also find presents.

“I came in here because our coach brought this opportunity to us to help the team connect with the community,” Penn shared. “ I also came to find some candles for my grandma who is a candle enthusiast, which would also cut down the Christmas hunting.”

Many student volunteers helped the businesses set up inside the school at the crack of dawn. “You had the entire baseball team, Poms, cheerleaders, and choir come in as early as 6:15 to help carry in the merchandise brought in by the vendors,” Broderius explained. “ It’s also valuable for these young men and women to get involved with their community.”

One of the mutual feelings that comes from both the volunteers and buyers was seeing people they knew coming out to shop or help. “I like to be engaged with the community, not just where my kids are, but to see fellow parents who also like being involved,” Booster Missy Tijerina said. “One of the main reasons I enjoy volunteering is for the connection I get to build with not just Greeley West, but the students and parents that also like to be around their community.”

Greeley West was also lucky enough to have Santa Claus drop by from the North Pole before he had to start preparing for his yearly venture of dropping off presents around the world.

“ I was invited by one of the hosts named Trish, and she thought it’d be good to have Santa and Mrs. Claus here,” Claus said. “ I actually have a North Pole facility in Eaton where I camp out at when I’m down here visiting everybody.”

As expected Santa’s main mission is to bring the holiday cheer to town when it comes to making visits wherever he goes. He was even seen taking pictures with rival wrestlers who were around.

“ I always love coming in and seeing the joy that the younger ones have when they get to see their favorite jolly man.” Santa explained. ”It’s always nice to create memories for those who stop by and tell me what they want for Christmas, those who want to see if their names are on the naughty list, and those who simply just want to take a picture with me and Mrs. Claus.”

The craft fair was a lovely start to the winter festivities.