From crocheted animals to baked goods, small businesses across the community found their products flying off the shelves. The school gymnasium – usually home to basketball games – transformed into a bustling marketplace on Saturday, Oct. 25 for the MN Craft Fair.
Each year, the craft fair is hosted to promote local organizations and fund school activities. The school hallways fill with delicately decorated tables, each one selling a unique craft.
To rent one of these tables, local business owners must fill out an application and pay a small fee to the school. Once accepted, they’re able to set up shop and sell their goods to curious customers.
However, hosting this event requires dedicated effort and support from the entire community.
“It’s a large event. Luckily, so many different clubs and teams get involved helping with the setup and operating the craft fair,” Spanish teacher and craft fair volunteer coordinator Tara Tapp said.
Overseeing the craft fair for three years, Tapp helps organize the event and recruits volunteers. She’s watched the grueling setup as volunteers turn the school into a miniature mall, yet she also recognizes the benefits the craft fair provides.
“This is the biggest fundraiser for the Mustang Booster Club. Half of the proceeds [from the craft fair] go to the club itself, and the other half is dispersed amongst the clubs and teams who help put the event together,” Tapp said.
Founded in 2011, The Mustang Booster club works diligently to raise money for underfunded clubs and create an atmosphere where students can compete at the highest level in their activities.
By hosting the craft fair, the Mustang Booster Club is able to cover the school’s funding gaps and cultivate an environment of limitless opportunity for students.
However, the Booster Club isn’t the only group that benefits from this fair.
The dance team rents a table each year to sell home-cooked goods, which helps fund costumes, travel, food, and more. Moreover, student council members volunteer to both benefit the community and pay for future school events.
On top of this, any student can individually sign up and help volunteer to earn themselves service hours and working experience.
“I usually have a lot of students that help with the volunteer effort and help put on the fair. It’s always nice to see students come together and transform the school into a space that benefits everyone,” Tapp said.
One of these student volunteers is junior Amelia Sauser. Working at the Mustang Center entrance, Sauser got to see for herself the event’s turnout.
“There were so many people coming in, and we got lots of donations. It makes me happy because it helps fund all different types of clubs that me and my friends are a part of,” Sauser said.
Even though it’s her first year volunteering, Sauser recognizes the craft fair’s importance to the community.
“The craft fair brings so many people together to a space where we can share special homemade crafts from small organizations,” Sauser said.
Among the buzzing crowd of vendors stands local author Mark Langan, promoting his books and his name. After 26 years of service, Langan retired from the Omaha Police Department with both a heavy heart and an interesting story.
“My books are all true crime stories from my experience at the Omaha Police Department. I had so many cool experiences to share after I retired, that everyone around me told me to write a book,” Langan said.
In 2014, Langan wrote his first book, “Busting Bad Guys.” His book documents his experiences with Nebraska’s criminal underbelly along with the horrors that came with them. Later in 2023, Langan published his second book “More Busting Bad Guys”, sharing more of his unthinkable stories.
Langan stumbled upon the craft fair around eight years ago, while searching for a way to promote and sell his books. He rented a table, and he’s been coming back ever since.
“I usually do really well at the craft fair. I’ll sell about $1000 worth of books each year, so it’s well worth my time to come out here,” Langan said.
As a recurring vendor, Langan also realizes the importance of the craft fair for the Omaha and MN community.
“The craft fair is huge for everyone involved. Each year it does really well, and a lot of people come to buy cool gifts and Christmas presents for their family and friends,” Langan said.
Now that the craft fair is over, the community reflects on another successful year of supporting local organizations and school programs.
“It was definitely a success,” Tapp said. “I feel like we’ve had a really good turnout this year, and we’ve been receiving so many extra donations from shoppers. It’s really been a blessing.”
Now, the Mustang Booster Club will look to next year as it begins planning another memorable fair, ready to host more crafts, more creativity, and more cheer.