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PLAINS TWP. — Hundreds filled the lot of the Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center on Saturday, hoping to find some great deals on everything from home decor to psychic readings.
The school held its third annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza, bringing in roughly 70 vendors and also offering handmade goods from the center’s students.
Teachers associate and event co-coordinator Cheryl Thomas said the craft fair was initially created to help generate money for a small van to assist with transporting students to and from special events and activities.
“When we started out three years ago, we got maybe 50 vendors. And every year it has grown since then, and this year we are up to 70 vendors,” she said. “We put our heart and souls into this. It doesn’t happen overnight.”
School nurse and co-coordinator Megan Bartuska-Laudato applauded the student population for their hard work and high attendance when it comes to school fundraisers, citing the various student-made products sold during the extravaganza.
“A lot of people don’t realize how great our school is. We have some awesome kids that are willing to help with everything,” she explained. “They want to be here. They want to raise money for the school. They want to do as much as they can to help other people.”
Standing next to a row of polished cement tables and planters, Anthony Ciliberto spoke about the importance of holding the fair for the school. The masonry teacher said creating items to sell helps students understand the precision in their craft, as well as learn from their mistakes.
‘Get out of the house’
If all the browsing made shoppers work up an appetite, students provided a bite to eat as well. The center’s culinary program created some quick lunch options and displayed a variety of sweet treats in a bake sale, where Miners Mills resident Sue Vetrini had her eye on some chocolate cupcakes.
“I was just looking to get out of the house and do something since it hasn’t stopped raining,” she said of her first time at the event. “It’s great.”
At the other end of the hall, Helen Cornwall had already sold out of her most popular products before the fair closed. The creator of Jammin With Helen, the Dupont resident said she started her homemade jam business about a year ago.
Cornwall brought about 30 different types of jam that ranged from fan favorites like strawberry and apricot to more unique tastings like blueberry jalapeno and cherry chili lime.
“It’s been a good turnout,” she said. “It’s the first time I’ve been here. You have a lot of people coming through, which is nice.”
