The Performing Arts Craft Fair Fundraiser at Lake Catholic is the brainchild of the1984 booster program that started as a small event with vendors contained in the high school gym. Performing Arts Assistant Jennifer Bretz said the annual event has blossomed into one of the largest and most sought-after craft fairs on the east side. Anyone wanting confirmation on that description just had to look for a parking place at the high school during the Nov. 2 event. “Our craft fair is usually the first in the area and kicks off the craft fair holiday season,” Bretz said. “This year we had over 172 vendors spread throughout the school’s atrium, gymnasium, cafeteria, main hall and parts of one of our academic wings. We had vendors that sell jewelry, clothing, holiday décor, specialty food items, and more and customers came from all over Northeast Ohio to begin their holiday shopping.” The Performing Arts Craft Fair Fundraiser at Lake Catholic in its 40th year continues to draw big crowds to the high school for early holiday shopping, (Courtesy of Jennifer Bretz) In 2023 more than 2,000 people attended and this year’s numbers looked to be equal if not greater. Related Articles Local News | Lake County EMA-led drills at Perry Nuclear Power Plant assessed Local News | North Perry Village revises ordinance to regulate public comments at meetings Local News | Former ABB Inc. site soon to be redeveloped in Wickliffe Local News | Lake County Genealogical Society to hear from Scott Norrick, of Ancestral Past Local News | Willoughby Hills residents express concerns over proposed Dollar General Bretz said this is the only fundraiser for the performing arts program and supports every aspect of the department. During the craft fair the department only makes a profit from admission, crafter table fees, the bake sale, the gift card raffle, 50/50 raffle and hot food concession stand. “The one staple that has remained unchanged in our 40 years is the cheesy potatoes,” Bretz said. “People look forward to those cheesy potatoes all year long.” The craft fair is entirely run by volunteers from the performing arts boosters who begin working on the event in January. Applications open up to returning vendors in the spring who get first chance to opt in for the next year, and they begin awarding spots to new vendors in June. “By July we already had a waitlist,” Bretz said. Bretz added the work that goes into pull off such a large event with nearly 200 vendors and thousands of customers on site can not be overlooked and benefits the program significantly. “If you were to total all the hours that our parents, students, alumni and staff have invested in planning, organizing, setting up and tearing down of the craft fair, it would total over 3,500 hours.” Bretz said. “The craft fair takes a large village to put together, but it is worth every minute. It has provided for marching band uniforms, new lighting and sound in the auditorium, new instruments, LC Singers costumes and more. We are excited to say that we have been budgeting for years and will be purchasing brand new marching band uniforms for the first time since 2011 to debut during our 2025 marching season.” Bretz offered thanks to everyone involved whether as a vendor, as a customer or as a volunteer for supporting the students and the program. Denise Valentine has two sons that graduated from Lake Catholic and has been a fan of the craft fair for years. “Oh yes, I love it,” Valentine said. “It’s a really great show with lots of different items. I have two sons that graduated from Lake Catholic, one in 2011 and one in 2018 and I have been coming to the craft fair since they were in high school here.” The postmark date on the application of new vendors is used to prioritize on a first come first serve basis. The application to apply can be found on the Lake Catholic website under Arts & Innovation>Performing Arts>Boosters.