DANVILLE — The fourth annual Christmas Celebration, sponsored by the Eastern Knox County Business Association, formerly known as the Danville Area Business Association, was held Saturday at St. Luke Community Center and ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A sausage and pancake breakfast was served from 8 to 10 a.m. and a craft sale, children’s crafts event sponsored by That Place On Market, and pictures with Santa followed.
Marsha Frantisak of That Place On Market was coordinator of the event.
“We’re celebrating the village Christmas celebration,” she said. “It’s put on by the area businesses. This year we are having a bazaar, a pancake and sausage breakfast, and we’ll have entertainment throughout the day.”
The Apple Valley Singers, Shelby Gonzolaz and Bear Hugs Preschool were scheduled to perform, and Christina Staats was providing Christmas music on the piano.
“They asked me to do this,” Staats explained. “I like to do this, to volunteer, so I said yes.”
All of the activity was for a good cause, said Frantisak.
“Proceeds from a basket raffle filled with gifts donated by local businesses will go to Food for the Hungry,” she said. “That Place On Market is putting on a workshop for the children to come in and do a craft. If they donate a food item they can come in and participate in the workshop. Or we are asking for a small donation. We’re having pictures with Santa for a donation of a nonperishable food item or a set amount of money. All that will go to Food for the Hungry.”
There were approximately 30 vendors on hand to sell crafts of all kinds, with Christmas gifts in mind.
Scott Sliwinski was one of those on hand selling his wares, pins, rings and brooches.
“This is dichroic glass that my wife and I fuse at our studio in our home,” he said. “And we’re here at the craft show selling our glass.”
Kelly Rafferty of Earth Jewelry was doing some pretty good business at her table. Sue Burkhart was looking over Rafferty’s selection and having a good time.
“It’s fun,” Burkhart said. “I was here for the wonderful breakfast. Now I have a full stomach and I’m going to enjoy the pretty crafts.”
Girl Scout Troop 435 and Boy Scout Troop 340 were on hand to help out and sell raffle tickets.
“We are selling raffle tickets and helping to make money for Food for the Hungry,” said Scout David McCartney. “I guess we just like to help out at things like that.”
His Scout Master and dad, Dick McCartney, elaborated.
“We’re getting in some community service for the boys,” Dick said. “We’re getting them some hours in to help them complete their ranks. And just helping Food for the Hungry. It’s worth it. They’re good boys.”
Helping out with the raffle sales were Johnathan Snyder and Devin Colopy.
Carl and Sharon Holmes were latecomers to breakfast, but servers Linda Moore and Jane Butts were more than happy to oblige them with something to eat.
“It’s been pretty steady,” said Butts of the breakfast business. “It’s not too bad.”
“This looks like it’s going to be good,” Sharon said, looking at the breakfast on her tray. “And I’m looking forward to seeing the crafts.”
At the end of the breakfast line were Lynae Wallace and Danielle Craner of First-Knox National Bank. Wallace and Craner were in charge of the hot chocolate.
“This is a very precise thing,” said Wallace as she poured the chocolate mix into the carafe by eye.
“We really like to do this, to help out,” Craner added.
The total collected for the event was not available as of press time.
