Winterfest supplies free holiday fun this Saturday, December 1st

Never too young for Winterfest
Photo by Sarah Wright

Updated 11-30-2012 10:15pm

Cascade K-8, Shoreline District's only K-8 Community School, will host its annual Winterfest this Saturday to satisfy local shoppers and community members who want to absorb some festive vibes while perusing offerings from local artists, artisans, cooks and the school community itself.

The event is held in the Meridian Park/Cascade K-8 Cafeteria at N 175th and Meridian Ave N in Shoreline, from 10am to 4pm.

Billed as a Holiday Gift and Craft Extravaganza, Winterfest brings together experienced artists and new crafters eager to present tantalizing items for Shoreline area shoppers. A newly formed collective, W.H.A.M. (Working Hard Artsy Mamas), will offer adorable, stylized knitted baby hats and homemade food gifts.

Another vendor, Cascade parent, Laurie Blau-Marshall, has been a working artist for 22 years and has sold her paintings, mixed media art and jewelry at boutiques and galleries downtown. Blau-Marshall reported, "I like selling at Winterfest not only because it contributes to my daughter's school, but also because community based events like this have an intimate feel and I enjoy seeing who buys my art rather than having the middle man of the store or gallery."

Some of other anticipated vendors include: Michelle Templeton Art (paintings and woodblocks), Sue's Sewing (American Girl doll-sized clothing), Siren Salvage (hand-wrought jewelry, vintage/quirky home decor, repurposed pieces), One Robin Road (Mason jar travel mugs), The Sweet Phoenix (healing salts, gluten-free food, cards, candy), Sew What?! (Ugly dolls, tote bags), SPLASH lotion (Cascade PTSA) as well as more jewelry, hand knits, embroidery, wrapping paper, memory boxes and MORE.

In addition to gifts for sale, there will also be a Bake Sale, a Coffee Corner for community gathering and a school info table, providing information about Cascade K-8, including details about the school's unique middle school program called Journey.

Cascade's Jazz Band will have its very first performance of the year at 2:30pm as part of the event. Jazz Band leader, David George, promises that the band has "enthusiasm galore" and though the school is small, there are a variety of instruments in the band this year, including flute and violin. Cascade's extra-curricular multi-age music class, studying folk songs and dance, will also perform at 2pm.

Artfest, a celebration of the school's art program, will be part of the celebration, too. A gallery of student art will share the space with vendors. Winterfest offers fun for people of all ages. Admission is free.