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BROOKFIELD -- The Brookfield High School drama club offered free family fun Saturday to kick off the holiday season.
"This is the eighth event we have had," said Megan Rodgers, Brookfield drama club adviser and Brookfield Warrior Winterfest coordinator. "We started a craft show in 2015 and rebranded it as Warrior Winterfest in 2019."
The 2020 event was canceled because of COVID-19, but 2021 was the first Winterfest after the pandemic shutdown.
Hosted by the drama club as a way to monetarily support their spring production, this year's Winterfest consisted of such activities as Breakfast with Santa, a sip and paint, bead artwork, middle school STEM (science technology engineering and math) fair, a basket raffle and a craft show.
"This is the biggest fundraiser for our drama club," Rodgers said. "In addition to raising money for sets, costumes, props, royalty rights etc., it allows us to stress less about ticket sales and thereby keep ticket prices low for our spring production, 'Jolly Rodger and the Pirate Queen,' which will take place March 22 and 23."
Winterfest has become a community event that draws multiple generations from Trumbull County and western Pennsylvania.
Kamryn Kurpe, a Brookfield High School junior and drama club member, helped with the sip-and-paint activity, but took some time to visit with her grandmother, Laurene "Laddie" Kurpe. Grandma Kurpe was a lunch lady for 30 years, which included a stint in Brookfield.
Brookfield High School Principal Megan Marino sees the event as a means to bring the community together.
"It is a way for residents to know what goes on here at Brookfield Schools (elementary, middle and high school), and they can mingle with students and staff. It lets them know what amazing kids we have here at these schools," Marino said.
Kristen Foster, director of teaching and learning, listed additional reasons for the public to take part.
"It is a wonderful blend of community engagement and creativity. It fosters a sense of togetherness and is a wonderful opportunity for students, parents, faculty and the community to come together to celebrate the season," Foster said.
Drama club members Kaylin Poggi and Trinity Dupuy, both freshmen, volunteered at one of the holiday activities.
"I like to act," Poggi said. "Drama club helps people come together from different groups and become friends."
Dupuy and Poggi said they knew each other prior to being involved with drama club, but their participation with the group helped cement their friendship.
"I like to perform in drama club and I have made new friends," Dupuy said.
In addition to new friends, she has found that drama club has brought her additional people she can talk to, as well as supportive adults and peers.