Fun, food and crafts at high school fair

Thousands of shoppers wandered through both Carson High School gymnasiums Saturday to see 108 vendor booths at the ninth-annual Holiday Craft Fair. Everything from snowmen made of cut Aspen to hand-painted jewelry boxes was available for sale.

Wearing a red apron, Jeannie Burns offered free samples of her daughter's Hallelujah Toffee.

"When you eat it you want to yell, 'hallelujah!'" she said of the name.

Dennis Young was selling pickled garlic, green beans and olives stuffed with anchovy or blue cheese from Primo's Gourmet Food Co.

"We just sold out of the asparagus," said the Carson City man.

The craft fair, which continues today, is a fund-raiser for the Parent Teacher Student Association. In the past the fair has paid for $5,000 worth of tables and chairs for the school library and $3,000 worth of books.

"This year we've already made an obligation to pay half the cost of new lighting for the small gym," said Ilona Strull, event promoter and PTSA member. She said the group asks staff, administrators and teachers what needs funding. "We try to put the money toward something that will benefit the entire school."

The fair offers more than just crafts. Centered around Senator Square on Saturday and again today is a food court. Each food booth supports a school club.

Hawking popular pulled-pork sandwiches and beef brisket to support the Carson High Band Boosters was Joyce Stroup. Her brother, Duane Felker, is co-owner of Carson City BBQ Co. She has two sons in the band: Senior Jeff Stroup who plays the trumpet and sophomore Todd Stroup who plays the tenor saxophone.

"Last year we raised $1,100 and the year before we raised $1,800," she said. "This year I'm hoping we meet or surpass that."

All the money raised goes toward annual band trips such as the jazz band's February trip to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Shoppers John and Judy Etchamendy listened as the band played in the square Saturday.

"We went to Borders last night to hear the band and this band is much better," said Judy.

"Yeah, I'd say about five times better," said John. "And the craft fair is great, too."

Looking sharp in their black uniforms, 25 members of the school's Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps helped out Saturday and will again today.

"We're selling raffle tickets, fetching things for the vendors, counting the number of people at the door, basically whatever they need us to do," said Chris Macmahon, operations officer.

Santa was available for photos and Christmas wish lists Saturday and will be again today. The entry fee for the craft fair is $1 plus a canned food donation. Children and students get in free. If you got your hand stamped Saturday you don't have to pay today.

The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.