Held in the very same nature they’re using for their decorations, the Holiday Craft Fair was attended by dozens of families at the Placerita Nature Center Saturday.
Guests were invited to create their own holiday wreaths, centerpieces and ornaments using a large assortment of fresh-cut greenery, pine cones and other beautiful natural treasures.
“This is our one big fundraiser a year, and all the money basically goes to feed the animals,” said Herb Broutt, the corresponding secretary for the Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates. “You get to make your own stuff. So instead of buying a wreath you get to come in here and you’re with a family and you get to make something together.”
“It’s nice family time,” he added.
Broutt said the Holiday Craft Fair has become a staple in the community over the last two decades, and people come year after year, even from out of state, to decorate their wreaths.
Halle Michaelson, one of the attendees, was decorating her wreath, which had a base made of hay, with a variety of twigs and branches
“I’m making a fresh wreath for my room,” said Michaelson, adding that it was her first year. “We drive by the nature center a lot and we thought it would be really cool to be at this family event.”
Sebastian Munchen, 13, and his younger brother Damien, 9, were both at the event, but were found at the kids’ event in the back of the center.
They both said it was their first time at the craft fair, but that they enjoyed painting the bird house given to them.
According to Broutt, each activity included a charge that all went to the Placerita Canyon Nature Center. The Holiday Craft Fair has, in years past, generated $4,000-$5,000 each time, approximately 10% of the operational budget for the center.
