Our Daily Show Interview! 36th A.B.O.B Craft Fair Set for This Weekend
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ALTON - The 36th annual ABOB Olde Alton Arts and Craft Fair invites the community to shop and support music students in Alton Community Unit School District #11.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, The Alton Band and Orchestra Builders (ABOB) will host the fair at Alton High School. Shoppers can enjoy handmade items and gifts from vendors across the Midwest, and proceeds from the fair will benefit the district’s music program.
“It’s just an incredible sense of community, and the support we get is amazing,” said Laura Plummer, the high school’s orchestra director.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the fair is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission costs $4. On Sunday, Dec. 7, the fair is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission costs $3. Kids 12 and under are free. Breakfast opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Vendors keep all the money they make, but their $100 booth fee and the admission and food proceeds go toward ABOB. As an organization, ABOB pays for instrument repairs, marching band competitions, new instruments, uniforms and more, allowing hundreds of students to participate in Alton’s music programs.
“That organization has been around since 1948 supporting our band and orchestra kids so that all students in our district have equal opportunity and access to our band and orchestra program,” Plummer said. “It’s a long, storied history, and it’s great that it’s still going on strong.”
A few of those students — high school juniors Atticus, Bella and Sam — shared that they all started playing the trumpet in the fifth grade and quickly fell in love with music. Atticus noted his excitement for this year’s craft fair and the opportunity to volunteer.
“I like helping the crafters set up, just interacting with the people that have the booths, because they make the whole thing possible,” he said. “They’re all really nice.”
Bella added that shopping is equally fun. Every product sold at the fair must be at least 51% homemade, and, with over 150 vendors, there are always thousands of unique finds.
“I definitely think it’s worth it because then I can go shopping and get all this cute stuff. There’s so much cute stuff there,” Bella said. “Once you’ve been running around all crazy and setting stuff up, you get a break and you can just look around and buy new things and shop with your friends. It’s really cool.”
The 36th Annual ABOB Olde Alton Arts and Craft Fair is projected to raise nearly $30,000, making it a major contributor to the district’s music program. Plummer shared that the community and district administration are “incredibly supportive” of the music program, and she can’t wait to help the program continue to grow.
Plummer and the students thanked organizers Amy and Brian Macias for their work to make the fair possible, as well as the many volunteers and parents who will help over the weekend. They also expressed their appreciation for the shoppers and vendors who make the fair possible every year.
“Please come to the craft fair,” Sam concluded. “It’s a good time.”
For more information about ABOB, including how to support them, visit their official website at ABOB.net. To learn more about the 36th Annual ABOB Olde Alton Arts and Craft Fair, click here.
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