On October 26-27 the Plainfield School District will be hosting their annual 26th Craft Show, consisting of over 255 crafter booths in attendance at Plainfield Central.
The Plainfield Craft Show is a volunteer run event that focuses on fundraising for the PSD 202 Brand programs, with most expenses such as that of all booth fees, admissions, concessions and more helping to purchase new instruments for all four Plainfield High Schools’ Band Program.
“The idea of a craft show in general is to have vendors who create their own homemade products, and the craft show is an outlet for them to sell them,” band director Jerrod Cook said. “The participants are people from the community who make their own products that they want to sell. It’s open to anybody who creates their own products. We try real hard not to include people who sell mass produced products. Try to keep it to small local homemade stuff.”
Although this year’s craft show will be held at Plainfield Central, in areas such as the field house and cafeteria, the craft show is technically being hosted by Plainfield South. Two members of the band boosters will be putting everything together behind the scenes. Originally, back when there was only one high school in Plainfield, all the money went to that specific school’s band program. As more schools opened up it was decided that the money would be split up equally between the schools.
“The proceeds benefit the band program at all four high schools,” Cook said. “Along the way it was decided that the primary responsibility for organizing things would be rotated around to each school. For example this year plainfield south is quote on quote host school. Even though the event takes place at central. What that means is that plainfield south is responsible for overseeing the finances”
The craft show needs both students and adult volunteers to do various jobs. Students typically help during the setup and tear down process. All vendors show up to Plainfield central at the same time, so they need all of their stuff carried from their vehicles into wherever they’re at in the building.
Junior Anabel Herrera signed up to become a runner in the kitchen. She will be volunteering from 9p.m to 2:30p.m. She enjoys volunteering, and figures even something small as handing out stamps can be helpful for events like this.
“I believe the fall craft show is a great way to not only support small businesses, but support our band program as well. I also greatly enjoy walking around and looking at all the creative and beautiful things people have to sell,” Herrera said.
Senior Mikaela Gray also volunteered, signing up for the food runner role. She signed up the first day the form was open, to ensure she had a spot. She chose this role because you’re able to see all the booths at the craft show while walking around to deliver goods.
“I think everyone should attend the craft fair this year or even next year. It supports the band, and all the people who made items to sell,” Gray said.
