Strong turnout for Gateway band craft show in Monroeville

Gateway High School Marching Band and Colorguard hosted its 20th annual craft show on Nov. 12. The school’s hallways, auxiliary gym and cafeteria were filled with vendors selling their different creations.

Over the years, the craft show has become one of the band’s most successful fundraisers. In the past, it has brought in amounts exceeding $8,000.

Each year, vendors pay the band a fee to reserve a table space in the show. Band members meet the vendors in the morning to help them unload their product and set up in their designated spot. This year’s event featured a gift wrapping station, raffle baskets, a bake sale and concession stand that provided the band with additional profit.

“It is our second-largest fundraiser for the marching band boosters,” said Katie Biehl, secretary of the band’s booster club and event organizer. “We’ve grown from about 30 crafters and vendors, and this year, we’re approaching about 140. The crafters know that they’re supporting the band, but they’re also able to meet the people that they’re supporting at the event.”

The craft show quickly attracted a crowd, and shoppers were able to look at a wide variety of products. Vendor tables were found in two separate buildings at the high school. Guests were able to cross the street and follow signs in the next building that directed them to more tables. From paintings and woodwork to pet accessories, people found something new around every corner.

“We’ve had a really tough year, and we’re trying to recover and help the kids not miss a step,” said Biehl. “We really pour all of the profits we make from the event right into the kids. They’re the reason we’re here. We want to make sure that as many of them that want to participate can, and that’s where some of this money goes. The rest goes to make sure that their costs stay at a minimum.”

There was a festive theme found throughout the event. Handmade signs of red and green provided by band members were attached to candy cane-colored poles that were used to direct guests. Many vendor tables featured holiday decorations such as ornaments and Christmas trees fashioned from wood or glass. Some vendors sold peppermint sweets and desserts shaped like Santa and reindeer.

Biehl began emailing returning vendors in June and posting advertisements on the craft show’s Facebook page. Once word began to spread, she received an influx of new vendors.

“We have had a good show every year and we’re really excited to see the turnout this year,” she said.