On the brisk autumn morning of Nov. 18, Huntley High School opened its doors for the 12th annual Leggee Holiday Craft Fair. Boasting over 120 crafters and vendors, along with a raffle and bake sale, Leggee’s craft fair marked the festive commencement of the holiday season. The event was hosted by the PTA and featured free admission with a food donation.
Cracking open the heavy glass doors of Huntley High School transports visitors into a world of holiday joy. As one walks into the school, rows of beautifully displayed handmade gifts adorn the walls.
Moving through the halls, crafters from across the area converge to showcase their businesses or sell their products crafted with passion. Many crafters initially pursued their creations as hobbies, relishing the freedom it afforded them, eventually transforming their passion into a business.
“I enjoy being crafty. I wanted to do something where I could stay at home with my little one, so I decided to take the leap of faith,” Hannah Sawyer said.
The craft fair serves as a herald for the holiday season, offering a variety of great gifts for people of all ages. Countless tables exhibit various gifts, ranging from holiday decor to handmade blankets and everything in between. The craft fair truly caters to everyone.
“I love going to farmers markets in the summer, and this is perfect for the winter where I can shop for holiday gifts,” Emily Niedzwiecki said.
Some vendors, such as Matthew and Ethan’s Ornaments Create Holiday Magic, choose to contribute positively to the community through their products. Specializing in handmade, affordable ornaments, 100% of the proceeds from Matthew and Ethan’s Ornaments go towards the Project Hope Animal Rescue Foundation. They are able to donate 100% of their proceeds due to the Easter Bunny, Santa, and Grinch visits they offer, which cover the cost of materials. In the past four years, they have generated more than $21,000 in funds for charitable causes.
“We started giving to Ronald McDonald House charities, and each year we pick a different charity. We make the ornaments affordable at $5 each, so people will want to buy them and donate to the charities,” Star Underwood said.
