Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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The Junior League's Holly Day Fair Brings an All American Christmas to the Crown by STEPHANIE CRIDER The Holly Day Fair is right up there with Black Friday when it comes to shopping traditions in Eastern North Carolina. Perhaps one of the reasons is that the event gets bigger and bet- ter each year. In fact, it is the largest show of its type in this region of our state. In its 45th year, the Holly Day Fair is something that or- ganizers and shoppers look forward each fall. So Nov. 3-6, loosen up those purse strings, head to the Crown Expo Center and shop till every last name has been crossed off your Christmas list. About 22,000 shoppers attend the event each year, and the more than 200 vendors who come are eager to impress the crowds. "We've got a great selection of vendors this year," said Jenny Beaver, Holly Day Fair chair. "We've brought back the favorites and added some new vendors, too." Shoppers can look for an extensive selection of unique handcrafted and manufactured products to select from including the best in holiday decora- tions, handmade crafts, stylish jewelry and clothes, children's toys, specialty food items and much more. There will be Christmas trees — fully decorated and ready to take home and set beside the mantle — for sale. Not too many though, said Beaver, as each one is decorated by a professional designer. This year's theme is "An All Ameri- can Christmas." With Fort Bragg right next door and the "All America City" title, which was awarded to the city of Fayetteville earlier this year, the theme was a natural and easy fit. Besides, Bea- ver is hoping to draw in even more visi- tors than last year, including Fort Bragg residents and shoppers from surrounding areas like Pinehurst and Sanford. "We are working really hard to get the most out of our advertising dollars this year and to extend our reach," said Beaver. "We've made some really big leaps this year in getting the word out. This is the first year that the Holly Day Fair has its own website. We also have a Facebook page and will be doing a Facebook ad this year." It's an ambitious goal, but the Holly Day Fair organizers are looking to top the almost $275,000 raised last year. "We are hoping for $300,000," said Beaver. "I know that is a big number, but we can do it." The shopping is great and the festively decorated event puts shoppers in the holiday spirit, but what some people don't realize is that all of the money raised by the Holly Day Fair goes right back into the community. More than 400 members strong, the Junior League of Fayetteville is an all-volunteer organization. According to its website, these volunteers "partner with various agencies to effect change in area of child health and welfare. The Junior League of Fayetteville is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), which has 290 member Junior Leagues and 160,000 members internationally." Last year alone, the Junior League of Fayetteville gave grants to 15 organizations ranging from Hope Mills Middle School for math reviews to WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Hungry Angela's backpack buddies program, the Southeastern Regional Area Health Education Center's child abuse and detection prevention program to the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra concert for special-needs children and adults and to the Child Advocacy Center's program, which helps abused children under the age of 18. "A lot of people don't realize just how much the Junior League of Fayetteville con- tributes to the community," said Beaver. "The organization has done a great job of brand- ing the event — the Holly Day Fair — but we haven't necessarily branded ourselves as the sponsor. It's important for the community to know that not only are they getting a wonder- ful shopping experience when they come to the Holly Day Fair, but that they are help- ing the children in our commu- nity, too." LaJuan Mills, presi- dent of age Junior League of Fayetteville echoes that senti- ment. "Each year keeps getting bigger and better and we are proud to report that we raised more than $270,000 for the com- munity last year with this one fundraiser," said Mills. "We hope to surpass that amount this year, to sustain our focus of com- mitment to programs, projects and advocacy to ensuring children ages 0 to 18 have the opportu- nity and services es- sential to their physical, intellectual, emotional and social well-being." The Holly Day Fair kicks off Nov. 3 with the Super Shop- per event from 9 a.m. to noon. These special event tickets can be pur- chased for $13. Tickets are limited. Stroll- ers and any type of rolling carts are strictly prohibited during Super Shopper hours. General admission tickets for the event are $9. All tickets include free parking. Chil- dren 5 and under are free. Regular hours of the event are as follows: Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets to the 2011 Holly Day Fair can be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, at the official Holly Day Fair website at www.hollydayfair.com, or at the following local merchant locations: Bell's Seed Store, The Pilgrim, Luv My K-9s and So Chic Bebe. Find out more at the Holly Day Fair website www.hollydayfair.com/press.php and Facebook page www.facebook.com/hollydayfair. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate Editor. COMMENTS? Stephanie@ upandcomingweekly.com OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2011 UCW 13