Cobra Cottage shopping returns

The Fountain Lake School District parent teacher organization's annual shopping event is back this year for two days of fun.

Admission to the Cobra Christmas Cottage is free. Anyone who attends will be entered into a drawing for a cash prize.

Jennifer Hogue, secretary of the PTO and chair of its Cottage committee, said more than 60 vendors are expected. The number of vendors is the event's most in its three years.

"We have a little bit of everything," Hogue said. "We have clothing boutiques, we have woodworking, we have food trucks this year, jewelry makers, home goods, soap makers and people who make things out of barn wood -- all kinds of stuff."

Booths will include vendors of handmade arts and crafts, seasonal decorations, gourmet foods, independent consultants and more. Children will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus.

"It's like the start to the holiday season," said Catherine Holland, PTO historian and a second-grade teacher at Fountain Lake Elementary School.

Vendors will arrive this morning to begin setting up. The Cobra Christmas Cottage will be open today from 5-9 p.m. in Safe Room A by Fountain Lake Middle School Cobra Digital Prep Academy. The event will return on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More than 40 volunteers are expected for both days. It is the largest fundraiser the PTO conducts each year.

"We love the kids," Holland said. "It's all about the kids and what we can do for them."

"Every vendor gives an item that they would normally sell for the silent auction," Hogue said. "We raise funds that way as well."

Big Red Realty, Countryside Animal Hospital, Pro Benefits Group and Village HealthMart served as the principal sponsors.

Holland volunteered at last year's event and Hogue has helped organize the previous two years while also working as a vendor. They said the event is a fun way to meet others in the community.

"From a vendor standpoint, it's fun to get to meet the other vendors," Hogue said. "We have a lot of repeats, but we have a lot of new vendors this year. It's going to be fun to get to meet all of them."

The PTO works mostly with the elementary school and the middle school, but Hogue and Holland said they wanted to make it a district wide event. Clubs from Fountain Lake Charter High School are invited each year to host their own booths.

The junior high cheerleaders will lead a wrapping station. The Boy Scouts, Junior Beta Club and Future Farmers of America chapter will have booths on display.

High school students volunteered to act as elves for Santa's station. Members of the student council have also volunteered.

Fountain Lake will host basketball games tonight against Bismarck. Hogue and Holland said the youth sports teams scheduled home games Saturday to align with the event.

Local on 12/09/2016

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