Carole St-Aubin
Quyon Nov 13, 2021
The 13th annual Onslow school Christmas craft sale drew a large and steady stream of people at the Quyon Community Centre on Saturday, Nov. 13
Organizer Stacey Johnston, who is the . . .
president of the Home and School Committee at Onslow school, said she was pleased with the turnout where $1,200 was raised for the school.
“Typically we have it at the school, but this year, we decided that we didn’t want to bring strangers into the school,” said Johnston.
“So we rented the community center. It kind of worked out better because everyone’s in one area, “ she added.
Being focused on shopper experience, organizers didn’t take more than 30 vendors so they could space them out through the hall. They also made wearing masks and hand sanitization mandatory upon entry in order to follow protocol.
“Our canteen is a big part of our fundraiser this year, but we’re doing it strictly as takeout. So you can get your soup and chili to go instead of sitting down and eating,” said Johnston.
“Most of our vendors are from the area and we’ve got new ones this year, but we’ve got ones that have been here for years.
One of the projects they have in mind is the installation of a wheelchair-accessible swing for one of the students at Onslow school. They are also hoping to create an outdoor classroom area.
“It’s going to be like a gazebo kind of area, it’s going to be a sheltered area with seating so a classroom can go outside to learn,” said Johnston. “We’re looking at getting a grant for that in the new year.”
“We also want to get garden boxes for the kids to do gardening and stuff.” Johnston told The Equity.
There was an assortment of goods offered, including locally grown garlic, herbs and spices, as well as baked goods, like tarts, muffins, fruit-cakes, pumpernickel bread, snowman cookies and marshmallow pops.
Other vendors offered handcrafted wooden signs and items such as jewelry, crocheted stuffed animals, hand-knit slippers (made with alpaca wool and leather soles,) hand-knit toques, socks and scarves as well as felt mittens.
Father and daughter duo, Stephane and Indianna Monast, were purchasing bath bombs. “We enjoy coming out here to meet people and to show our support for the school.”
There were home-based vendors offering bath and body products, Watkins products, leggings of all sizes. Hand-sewn bags and tie-dye kits, handmade button earrings, hair scrunchies, lanyards and magnets were also offered.
When asked if she was looking for anything in particular, Maureen Curley of Quyon lifted two shopping bags full of items and said, “Christmas presents.”
Other handcrafted items included a wide assortment of ornaments, home decor pieces, snowmen made from fish bowls, mugs and cups with vinyl logos and labels of all kinds, paper crafts including cards, little pockets filled with chocolates, hot chocolate, coffee and tea packets.
New and used books were also being sold at the craft fair.
Maggie Coté, Marion Normoyle and Sally Cavan said they were shopping for home decor items and enjoyed the variety displayed.
“We were all originally from Quyon but we came out here to support the community,” said Coté.
Heather Desabrais, who was shopping for a few knick-knacks as Christmas presents and shopping for herself, said “I always enjoy coming out to these craft fairs because you can find unusual items that you can’t find anywhere else, and I find they make nice personal gifts.
“The vendors were all pleased with the volume of sales,” said Johnston.
