The City College community enjoyed three days of food, music and craft booths last week during the twice-a-year festival sponsored by Student Leadership and Development.
The Fall Arts & Crafts Faire, which ended Thursday, Oct. 23, was meant to “bring the community together to see what local and non-local vendors have,” said SLD student assistant Annalea Padilla. “I think we accomplished that.”
Padilla said she found the crafted jewelry particularly enjoyable.
Live entertainment also performed Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and evening. The band Saint Solitaire rocked the faire with its alternative sound. The City College Dance and Cheer team also entertained the campus with hip-hop moves.
Students, faculty and staff lined up to feast on kettle corn and Chinese food at reasonable prices. Attendees were able to eat on the quad as they enjoyed live performances.
Vendors with stores in the area participated in the faire, including The Big Iguana, Egyptian Art, Coraza Crafts and Native Inka. The businesses sold handcrafted products, jewelry, art, clothes and much more.
Mamadou Traore sold goods from Africa’s Ivory Coast where he is from.
“We are happy to be here,” he said. “I am happy to show my culture to the students. This is my third year here.”
Several student groups–Anime Manga Appreciation Society, Brown Issues, Puente Club, Sci-Tech, Secular Student Alliance and Student Sustainability Coalition–recruited and raised funds at the faire.
The Student Sustainability Coalition attended to achieve “publicity No. 1,” according to SSC President Ty Perez. “We need people to know we exist. We’re also fundraising. We’ve been very successful.”
“I actually like it,” said City College student Marquis Knox, who bought a poster at the faire. “It’s really cool. It feels like the school is more alive.”
Some corporations also attended. Wells Fargo marketed its checking and savings accounts with other financial services and products. California Family Fitness offered memberships with free trials.
Student volunteer Tou Vang said, “It brings students together to make new friends and be entertained.”