A large arts and crafts show returned to the hallways, gymnasium and cafeteria of North Star High School on the weekend.
“Pumpkinfest” was held last Saturday, a tradition that began at the now former Western Secondary School and made its way to North Star. Over 200 vendors took part with students also able to get in on the act with shops, the cosmetology classroom, culinary department and student volunteers being part of it.
“It’s awesome. I love it,” said Crystal Laing, who represented Amherstburg-based businesses Just Freeze It Sweets and Canadian Captures Photography. “It’s a great event.”
Laing said she was at Springfest before, also hosted at North Star High School, and came back to Pumpkinfest. She joked she was going back and forth from one business to the other as interested customers streamed by her tables in the school’s gymnasium.
“I’m from Amherstburg. I see a lot of familiar faces,” she added of the event.
Kelly Hazelhurst and her husband Roger were on hand from It’s a Diamond Thing, and it was Hazelhurst’s first time at Pumpkinfest.
“It’s great. It’s very well organized,” she said, as she stood behind her table in the cafeteria.
Hazelhurst said it did not take them long to be able to be let in and get set up.
“There is tons of traffic,” she said. “Everything is going very well.”
Pointing out she has been at other shows, the Windsor resident added she heard good things about Pumpkinfest so that led her to be part of it herself.
“Everyone told me how good it was,” she said. “I wanted to try it.”
Shelly Kominek brought her knitted goods to Pumpkinfest, with a focus on Halloween and Christmas goods.
“I’m here because I enjoy knitting,” said Kominek. “I’ve been knitting for years.”
It was the first year Kominek entered Pumpkinfest and she said she enjoyed herself.
“I love it. It’s busy,” she said. “I think it is a great set-up.”
Kominek said she would “definitely” come back if given the opportunity, noting she doesn’t do a lot of other shows in the area.
Emily Beauchamp of Amherstburg brought her “Emily’s Custom Creations” business back to Pumpkinfest. Beauchamp creates custom water bottles, key chains, bracelets and more, and was able to reconnect with some of her former teachers.
“I do every one of these,” she said. “I’ve been to Pumpkinfest and to Springfest. I love coming back. I get to spend the day with my business.”
Sam Thomas, who organized the show with colleague Roma Williamson, said it went well. Thomas noted they don’t count people who come in, but she thought it seemed busier because parking lots at the school, nearby schools and other lots were busy.
“I think that means we’re busier,” said Thomas. “The weather co-operated for our vendors outside. It was not nice at Springfest.”
The new sign along Simcoe St. in front of the public high school was acquired through funding from events like Pumpkinfest. She said their next big project is for bleachers for the outdoor grass sports field behind the school.
The school benefits in other ways by the proceeds, she said, such as paying for field trips and supplies.
“The student volunteers have been awesome,” said Thomas. “Some are doing it for their community hours but others are doing it because they love it.”
Pumpkinfest returns to North Star High School
By Ron Giofu
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