Excitement is running rampant on Cherry Hill for what promises to be a “Perfect 10” holiday extravaganza.
In short, the Johnston High School PTSO (Parent-Teacher and Student Organization) will continue its storied tradition of hosting what has been a highly-successful and popular Holly Fair which in past years has transformed the cafeteria into an extraordinary winter wonderland and shoppers paradise.
The date is Saturday, Dec. 4 and it will be the PTSO’s 10th Holly Fair which was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“We are excited to announce the return of the Holly Fair,” said President Lance Niles, who recently succeeded Melissa Patrone as chairperson. “Interest has been running high among vendors and this could be our biggest event ever.”
That means that the PTSO will be able to continue its great work of raising money that enables the super support group to present scholarships to graduating JHS seniors.
“We are excited to give our community an opportunity to reconnect this year and bring a little bit more normalcy back to our lives during the holiday season,” Niles said while announcing the Holly Fair will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the spacious JHS cafeteria. “We will have approximately 30 or more vendors and have verbal commitments from others that could boost our total to 40 on Dec. 4.”
Moreover, the PTSO is bringing back its very popular Calendar Raffle featuring prizes donated by local businesses. Niles also announced “that (Calendar Raffle) drawings will be held during February and is another way for us to address student needs at the high school during the school year as well as to fund scholarships for deserving seniors at graduation in June.”
Niles also announced the PTSO is still accepting vendors for a small fee of only $30 for and 8-foot by 6-foot space and that interested business owners should contact the Chairperson at lance.c.niles@gmail.com.
Everyone in Panther land, from Johnston School Supt. Dr. Bernard DiLullo to Patrone is looking forward to the Dec. 4 Holly Fair which has been a unique holiday tradition for a decade.
“Christmas will again be in the air,” Patrone noted. “Even Santa Claus will make his annual visit to Johnston.”
As has been a highlight of previous Holly Fairs, parents – and even grandparents – will be able to have their favorite student’s picture taken with Jolly Ol’ Saint and as Patrone and other PSTO volunteers emphasized will be able to purchase everything from home baked goods to such unique gifts as luminary bottle creations to custom-made pipe lamps.
In the past, Holly Fair shoppers have been able to purchase a variety of specialty jewelry, different kinds of apparel, specialty signs and Christmas wreaths and unique colorful and custom decorations, as well as handmade luminary lights made from scratch using various bottles.
“The Holly Fair has always been an important, interesting and impressive event,” Niles offered with excitement reining in his voice. “I’m proud to be part of the PTSO that has always done a great job a great job organizing this special event that helps raise money to support various student awareness programs, class functions and rips for Johnston High School students.”
Admission to the Holly Fair is free and there will be plenty of parking at JHs and the opportunity for people to do some early Christmas shopping that is also designed to b ring holiday cheer to young and old alike.
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