SOUTHWICK – Team Attitude of Gratitude is back at it again with its 7th Annual Craft & Artisan Expo to benefit Relay For Life.
Set for May 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Daily Grind Cafe, 568 College Highway, the event has become a tradition for families.
Organizer Kerri Tichy said there will truly be something for everyone.
“We have a variety of crafters and direct sellers from Tastefully Simple to handcrafted soaps,” she said. “We have a little of something for everyone – from woodworking for the men to photography and skincare for the women.”
Children can stuff their own plush animals and a magician will entertain the crowds.
“The coolest thing is for $5 per half hour, kids can play in the Arcade on Wheels, which will be donating a percentage back to the Relay for Life,” said Tichy.
Team Attitude of Gratitude co-captains Tichy and Patricia Phillips, of Southwick, formed the team following Phillips’ own brush with cancer. Throughout her battle, Phillips stayed positive because she said she had an attitude of gratitude. This year, Phillips will serve as the keynote speaker at the two-day event May 15-16 at School Street Park in Agawam.
Tichy said the craft fair is a major fundraiser.
“We do this for two reasons,” she said, “the first and most important is to raise funds for cancer research. What is raised in western Mass stays in western Mass and that says more to me than anything to know what we are doing are helping our neighbors!”
Tichy said that leads me to the second reason.
“This fair has grown so much in the past seven years and in that time we have realized how much it brings the community together… so often we hear ‘When is the fair? ‘Can’t wait to get out we get to see our friends and shop all in one spot’ … or the best is you have such an eclectic variety of items it makes shopping so much fun,” Tichy said.
The team has found it brings the community together in another way.
“It allows people to get their shopping down for Mother’s Day while making it a family outing,” Tichy said. “It allows the community to feel that they, too, are helping to raise money for cancer research.”
