You know the holiday shopping craze is beginning when retailers start loading up commercial spaces with Black Friday deals and advertise their Thanksgiving night hours. To combat the madness of sale season, Sacred Heart Academy continues a tradition focused on giving rather than getting the best deals: the annual Holly Berry Festival.
The Holly Berry Festival has been an ongoing tradition at Sacred Heart for over 30 years. When it first started, the festival took place in the lower level of Sacred Heart Manor, the retirement home for the sisters. Now, it is held in the school’s gym and cafeteria the weekend before Thanksgiving. Having it that weekend is so important because it gives families time to support their community before the retail chaos of Christmas shopping begins. It also provides freshmen and sophomores an opportunity to give back through volunteering for the Friday night pasta dinner, as juniors and seniors have their class trips.
Sacred Heart is not the only community to look forward to this event; Holly Berry is meaningful to the greater New Haven area. Many of the crafters are local and love meeting the festival-goers. Sr. Mary Anne, who is in charge of the festival, tells about her favorite part: “My favorite aspect of the Holly Berry is seeing everything come together on the actual days of the festival. There is a friendly atmosphere among the crafters, the people who come and support the festival, those of us who worke together to have the Holly Berry be a success, and the many SHA student volunteers who give of their time to help us.” She is happy that the workers, crafters, volunteers, and sisters can come together and find such joy in a wonderful event.
A variety of activities besides the main craft fair are available each year for kids and adults alike. On Friday night from 5-7 pm, there is a Pasta Dinner. On Saturday, a food court is open from 11 am until 1:30 in the afternoon. Also, there is a bake sale full of homemade baked goods donated by SHA parents. There are also several raffles during the Holly Berry. Some of the prizes include decorated Christmas trees, cookies from a local bakery, four or five items in the main raffle, and two sections of Basket Raffle. However, the craft fair in itself is quite impressive with 50-55 crafters selling seasonal items as well as home accessories. Children have the opportunity for face painting, done by members of SHA’s Art Club, and for taking a picture with Santa and making a religious Christmas craft. An additional wood craft is offered on Saturday by Home Depot which the kids can take home. The wood is donated without charge.
If you’re looking for a fun afternoon that is for a good cause, consider attending the Holly Berry Festival next year. The proceeds benefit the retired sisters. It is sure to be a wonderful time full of fun Christmas activities and plenty of food!