Wallace Elementary PTA surpassed its goals at this year’s spring market, which took place on Saturday, April 11.
The spring market, which started in 2012, is where Wallace welcomes local vendors to set up booths and sell their products. The proceeds raised through various means will go toward the funding of activities and events for Wallace students, such as graduation and field trips. The event was a success, according to the Wallace PTA, and the Vendors were also very pleased with their sales this year.
“We welcome the community to come in and shop all these cool local vendors that sell lots of products you may not find in regular stores, but are exciting new things to try,” Wallace PTA President Lorin Anderson said.
The yearly event was filled with vendors throughout the elementary school from the front, to the hallways, gym and cafeteria. They sold all types of items, such as clothes, accessories, food, decorations and toys, among others, all helping raise money for the Wallace PTA.
One of those vendors was Christa Tarr, a children’s author who was selling Chasing Par, a series of children’s golf books she wrote introducing kids to the game. Tarr decided to write them because she and her husband are both golfers, and when her daughter was born, they were looking for things for her to read.
“We were looking for ways to fill her library with books that could inspire kids to play and find their place on the tee in a modern and authentic way,” she said.
This was Tarr’s first time at the spring market, and she said it has been wonderful.
Rena Lum Hee of Lum Hee’s Yummies is a baker and was at her third spring market this year.
“I think that it is so well organized and so well put together. The community here is really supportive and really sweet to see and it’s one of my favorites to do every year,” Lum Hee said.
There were also performances by the Wallace choir and a preview of Junie B. Jones by the drama club for those in attendance to enjoy while they browsed the market.
“That’s always a highlight to showcase our talented kids,” Anderson said.
Anderson has two children, one of whom is currently a fourth grader at Wallace and another who graduated from the elementary school last year. She is very appreciative of the way the community comes together for the market.
“The whole neighborhood comes out and shops with us. So many Wallace alumni families and families from all over Lake Highlands know our vendors and love to come and shop. It’s fun for the whole family, and you see friends and neighbors from years past and new families to the neighborhood come and enjoy afternoon shopping,” Anderson said.
One of those people who keep coming back is Amanda Stevens, whose kids went to Wallace.
“They have great vendors, and it is always fun to see people from the neighborhood,” Stevens said.
The market featured dozens of volunteers which helped to make the event possible.
“One of the things that is so special about the spring market is how all of our parent volunteers give back and make sure our kids have those special field trips and the graduations,” Anderson said. “It certainly takes a village to put all this on, and we are very grateful for our volunteers.”
