SWS hosting Christmas faire

SANDPOINT — A tried and true tradition, the Sandpoint Waldorf School will host its 25th annual “Christmas Faire and Children's Festival” Saturday.

Tricia Sullivan, director of admissions and development for the school, described the event as "magical" and "truly heartwarming." The event started the first year the school was open, and Sullivan said it is the school's gift to the community.

"The parents are involved in putting it on, the students help to plan and decorate and organize it," she said. "We think about it as being our gift to Sandpoint, so everyone is welcome."

Sullivan said each year they keep some of the core group of activities, such as the popular puppet show, while adding in some different elements to mix it up.

Here is the list of this year's activities scheduled throughout the day Saturday:

• Puppet show: "The Cobweb Christmas," fully staged across the front of a classroom and draped in gem-colored silks, will be performed by teachers using handmade scenery and marionettes. The show has three time slots scheduled at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

• Crystal cave: Started two or three years ago, Sullivan said the cave has become one of the more popular attractions at the fair as children are invited to enter the cave's secret passage into a "twinkling world of wonder."

• Craft-making room: Face painting and craft making, including dipping beeswax candles by hand, will be available for kids and adults to do together or on their own.

• Kids-only store: Parents have donated items throughout the year, which will be sorted and stocked into a store where kids can buy gifts for their family for just $1 or $2 per item.

• Arts and crafts fair: More than 20 local artisan and craft vendor booths will be set up on the school's lower-level — a show of quality gifts and treasures just in time for the holidays.

• Food: Homemade cinnamon rolls for brunch and homemade soups, quiche, Caesar salad and rolls for lunch. Evans Brothers coffee, tea, roasted chestnuts and desserts, which Sullivan said are "fabulous," including cookies, cakes and pies will be available to purchase at reasonable prices. Tables and chairs will be set up for visitors to sit, eat and visit.

• Hot chai hut: Warm, spicy homemade chai will be served in a "little getaway location."

• Parents-only silent auction: Gently used toys and treasures will be up for bid, which parents can give as gifts to their little ones for the holidays. Bidding closes at 3:30 p.m.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Tickets for the puppet show and craft-making are $1 a piece.

The Sandpoint Waldorf School is located at 2007 Sandpoint West Drive. Information: 208-265-2683 or sandpointwaldorf.org.