News

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (Nov. 15, 2024) – After hosting a very successful craft fair in the spring, Chelmsford High School’s Class of 2025 will be doing it all over again this weekend.

Seniors and their advisors have organized a pre-holiday craft fair that will take place this Sunday, Nov. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium and feature over 100 vendors and artisans.

“Our first craft fair was a massive success for us, but it wasn’t as organized as we might have hoped,” class vice-president Nate Hart said. “This time around we’re trying to really streamline the process so we can replicate this year to year for future classes.”

That streamlining process includes creating a floor plan and a sign-up system for vendors to enter their information and be given a space and time to show up for the event.

One of the main changes this time around is that the craft fair will be held in the high school gymnasium, allowing for more space for both vendors and shoppers.

“We have a brand-new venue, which is a lot bigger,” said class treasurer Pranav Abburi. “There’s going to be a lot more space. That will allow the crafters, vendors and shoppers to feel a lot more like a community.”

As for wanting to put on a second craft fair within a year’s time instead of doing another type of fundraiser, Hart said it’s an event that has become near and dear to their hearts.

“It certainly provided us with a lot of funds to use in other endeavors, but it also provides volunteer opportunities for students,” he said.

Class president Drew DiStasi added that the proximity to the holidays also played a role.

“We saw over 1,000 people show up last time and gather around this community,” he said. “So, we wanted to move it up earlier in the season to account for the holidays. It’s going to be a great event for us, for the crafters and for the community.”

With even more vendors this time around, the class is eager to see their passion project come to fruition again this weekend.

“The entire Chelmsford community has been awesome helping us out with fundraisers, even when it comes to Cotillion, donating food, donating drinks and all sorts of stuff,” said class advisor Lindsey Sheppard, a math teacher. “This is just a nice fundraiser that allows us to reach out to a different community that we don’t always get to work with. And we get to help them out by giving them a huge flow of traffic to come and check out their stuff before the holidays.”

Class advisor Jennifer Orsini, counselor in Whittier House, said the class learned a lot from the last craft fair and is ready to put on an even more successful fundraiser on Sunday.

“We worked out any kinks that may have presented themselves, since it was our first time,” she said. “And we’re looking forward to a very well-run, professional-feeling event. The crafters are super excited.”

The Class of 2025’s craft fair will be a fun, family-friendly day for all who attend.

Booths will include jewelry, woodwork, plush items, quilts, hand-poured candles, original art and photography, holiday gifts, designer bags, woodwork, food and much more.

In addition to the opportunity to shop for holiday gifts, there will also be a gift-wrapping station, a 50/50 raffle, and vendor raffle baskets with some incredibly nice items.

General entry for the craft fair is $3 for adults; admission for children and senior citizens is free.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.