Jewelry makers Ashley and Tinsley Aldrich smile in front of their booth at the West-Gridley 4-H Fall Festival. Photo by Seti Long

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - On a drizzly Saturday, West-Gridley 4-H cranked up the holiday cheer at their first annual Fall Festival and Craft Fair.

In an effort to increase their group’s visibility in the community, West-Gridley 4-H group has been actively volunteering for events, such as running the soccer snack bar for Gridley Parks and Recreation, devoting their time and energy to community service projects, and hosting their own events like their Fall Fest.

4-H’ers got an early start November 18, 2023, as they opened their Fall Festival to the public for the second year. Vendors ranged from artisans selling crafts such as jewelry, hand-sewn gifts, and sweet treats, to crystals, soaps, and trendy permanent jewelry.

Julie’s Sweet Treats booth was a great stop for those looking for holiday goodies to munch on! Photo by Julie Emerson

As guests shopped, West-Gridley 4-H members ran a bunny burrow raffle, a snack bar where they served tri-tip sandwiches, chips, and drinks, while others manned booths selling their own personally crafted gifts and goodies. All proceeds from the snack bar and raffle went to fund their 4-H group projects.

The Herald spoke with Addie Gutierrez and Peyton Alvarez, who were in charge of the register at the snack bar. The ladies both agreed that this year’s festival was busier than their first in 2022 and that it was exciting to be a part of it. “It’s really fun!” says Gutierrez, sharing that her favorite part was that you could have a booth or choose to just shop at them. Alvarez enjoyed running the snack bar, which she said was really busy.

First year 4-H member Dwight Taylor said the fall fest gave him a great opportunity to have fun hanging out with his friends while earning money to support their group. Taylor agreed with group members Gutierrez and Alvarez that the craft fair had a really great turnout.

West-Gridley 4-H would like to thank all that came out to support them and their vendors at the Fall Festival. Their next adventure is the upcoming Winter Wonderland Festival and Parade of Lights.