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Extravaganza brings out crowds
Hundreds of people turned out for some holiday shopping and fun during the fourth annual Fall Extravaganza hosted by the Fort Scott Middle School Very Involved Parents (VIP) organization Monday evening at the school.
The shopping event, which featured nearly 60 local vendors selling a variety of products including jewelry, baked goods, homemade gifts such as crafts, jewelry and scarves, and decor, serves as a fundraiser for the school, sixth-grade teacher and event coordinator Stephanie George said.
Fees from rental of tables by vendors -- rental fee for the event was $25 per table -- go toward the VIP fund to help with student events throughout the year, along with purchasing needed classroom supplies or materials.
"We use the money for things like activities for students, and buying gift cards for teachers to buy school supplies," she said. "It just adds to our coffers so we can purchase things as needed."
The event is hosted each year by the FSMS VIPs, an organization consisting of mostly parents and a few teachers who help promote and support student events and activities throughout the year. George is president of the group.
The event also provides an opportunity for area residents to "get started on their holiday shopping," George said.
George said the idea for the event was originated by Barbara Albright, former principal of the middle school.
"She (Albright) had wanted to do it, something similar to the Stocking Stuffer the HPA (Historic Preservation Association) does in December," George said. "We cold-called people to see if they were interested. We put the word out in the community and ended up with 30 vendors that first year. It's grown every year since. We have 57 vendors this year; it's the biggest yet."
Vendors include local people who sell arts and crafts, food, cosmetics, jewelry and a variety of other items.
"One vendor every year is Walker's Bakery which sells pies and fudge," George said. "Vera Norris sells Pampered Chef for us. Russ Hughes sells fishing lures. A lot of people sell jewelry."
George said other vendors sell food and a full barbecue meal was available. The Fort Scott High School music department offered a meal of pulled pork, baked beans, chips and a drink for $6 as they are "trying to raise money for a St. Louis trip in May."
Local resident Angie DeLaTorre operates a booth each year selling her enchiladas.
Some of the vendors donated door prizes that were given away during the event.
Jane Cooper, who brought some of her crocheted works from Crawford County, said this is the second year she has participated in the extravaganza, adding she supports it because it helps the middle school and the economy.
"It's a great turnout, even with the economy now," she said.
George said last year's event drew at least 300 shoppers and raised about $1,400 for the VIP fund. Funds most likely went to purchase Walmart gift cards to purchase school supplies, or "whatever the need is," George said.
"We had calls starting in August wanting to know about it," she said.
This year's event took place in the middle school gymnasium and commons area.
"We also use the gym because it's gotten so big," George said. "It's always the Monday before Thanksgiving ... We get a lot of community support for this; we appreciate it. Businesses put ads on their signs for us. We appreciate all of their help."