On Dec. 7, Colorguard’s Winter Wonderland fundraiser filled the school with holiday spirit and winter fun with a red carpet entrance towards Santa Clause, Christmas trees, a hot chocolate station, and inflatable ornaments hanging from the ceiling. The market had holiday and winter themed decorations all throughout the fine arts hall and dance gym.
Parents of students in Colorguard have set up Winter Wonderland every year for the past four years to fund Winterguard. A variety of vendors owned by small businesses or students from Bowie come to sell their products.
“There are performances that go on in the cafeteria while vendors sell food and all the different things,” Colorguard director Daniel Riley said. “We use the whole fine arts wing here, and we have all the vendors set up inside the dance gym and along the hallways.”
Senior Gina Linsalata is a member of Colorguard and makes things to sell with her sister, senior Theresa Linsalata. Their cake pops were $2 each with free samples and their stuffed animals range from $12, $20, and $30 each and $5 key chains.
“Both my sister and I work together. She crochets stuffed animals; this year she’s making Snoopy and Hello Kitty key chains. I’m knitting ferrets and corgis and I sew big teddy bears. Then we both bake cake pops and put hot cocoa bombs together,” Linsalata said. “We try to sell out and make as many stuffed animals as we can, because those usually sell out faster.”
Small businesses can rent out tables to sell their art and services and make a profit while still supporting the fundraiser. According to the James Bowie colorguard Instagram, vendors like Toni’s Toffee, Philogranic which is a family owned business that sells wellness products, and Angie Baby’s which sells their signature Jalapeno Ranch Dip and more. Other businesses include Crackpot Clay, TW Hat Co., Jingle Mouse which makes Christmas decorations and activities out of vintage Christmas ornaments, and Kaitlyn’s Creations which sells a variety of homemade gifts.
“There’s this woman, and she makes the cutest quilted bags ever and I love seeing everything handmade,” Linsalata said. “Like there’s vintage tea cups; they’re so beautiful. I love it.”
Junior Rylen Rea is in Colorguard and she volunteers with the vendors during the market. She encourages small businesses and participates in several of the crafts and activities.
“I think Winterguard is important because it raises awareness for smaller businesses and it gives more opportunities to people who have small businesses,” Rea said. “Sometimes I get to help with face painting, and that’s really fun. And I just really like helping out.”
All profits go towards the Winterguard season. Money for student’s food, bus rides, costumes, and for the staff come from the fundraiser.
“People get to see all the different kinds of unique crafts that people bring to the market.” Riley said. “Students definitely felt the holiday spirit, and had a good time.”
