Whether you want to help 14-year-old Carson High School freshman McKenna Mitchell's family with the expenses of her chemotherapy treatments or simply enjoy some great holiday shopping, the 16th Annual Carson High Holiday Craft Faire is the place to be Friday and Saturday.
All proceeds from the Santa photo booth will go to McKenna, who learned in July that she had bone cancer, and Santa will be donating his time, said Cathie Barbie, show coordinator.
The faire, one of the biggest to be offered in the community each year, kicks off Friday night from 5-8 p.m. and picks up again on Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the school, 1111 N. Saliman Road.
Barbie said shoppers will find beaded ornaments, wreaths, toffee, metal ornaments, Christmas table runners and tree skirts, fabric-covered photo albums and scrapbooks, lots of jewelry, home decor - from new to shabby chic - gingerbread, wood signs, metal lawn art, bird houses, sleds, quilts, Nevada clocks, pine needle baskets and dream catchers, personalized books, soups, dips, nuts, honey, soaps, lotions and more. There also will be a senior project book sale.
With more than 115 vendors and 125 booths, there will be something for everyone, Barbie said.
"This is a major fundraiser for the school through vendor fees," she said. "Last year, we gave $10,000 to 20 different groups. We've been bringing in some big bucks with this."
Barbie said students load and unload the vendors and the student groups are paid stipends based on the number of hours students from each group work during the faire.
Q's BBQ will provide food for hungry shoppers. In addition, the school's culinary arts students will sell French dips on Friday and Caesar salads on Saturday.
Entertainment will include a barbershop quartet, performances from the school band and the jazz band, and a promotion by Pinkerton Dance for the upcoming "Nutcracker."
Cost to attend the faire is $2 per person for adults. Students from K-12 are admitted free. On Saturday, adults will be admitted for $1.50 with a can of food.
"Last year, we collected 15 barrels of food for FISH," Barbie said. "This is well-supported by the community."