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Date: 12/15/2021
SOUTHWICK – Town Hall was packed on Dec. 11 for the return of the Southwick Civic Fund’s Winterfest and Craft Fair, after a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dozens of people at a time filed through the auditorium and hallways of Town Hall, buying Christmas gifts, voting on their favorite tree on the building’s front lawn, and meeting with Santa Claus.
Civic Fund President Joseph Deedy called this year’s Winterfest a success, especially after last year’s fundraiser was canceled because of the pandemic. He did not know the exact figures as of Dec. 12, but estimates that the Civic Fund raised a couple thousand dollars, money that will go into future Civic Fund events and activities.
“Unfortunately, tree sales were down this year, so we absorbed some of the cost,” said Deedy, “But overall it was a huge success.”
It wasn’t all back to normal; though little more than a light mist fell on Southwick after 3:30 p.m., the forecast of inclement weather was enough to cancel the Southwick Regional School lantern parade scheduled for 4 p.m.
Deedy said that he felt it was a good sign that many attendees purchased something from one of the many local vendors. He made a point to be in view of some of the exits, and observed what he estimated was about 80 percent of people leaving with something they had just bought, showing what Deedy saw as a support for local business.
“Overall, everyone I talked to was smiling and said they would be back next year,” said Deedy.
He said he would make some tweaks to the schedule next year to give people more time throughout the day to attend. He also hinted at other big Civic Fund events being planned for the spring, including the return of drive-in movies and “a huge” outdoor craft fair in the spring or summer.
The Christmas trees in front of Town Hall were donated by local families and business sponsors.
Attendees of the craft fair were encouraged to vote on their favorite tree. The overwhelming winner was the tree decorated by Southwick firefighters.