LoveLight’s annual Multicultural Holiday Festival at Roosevelt High School brought together many community members Saturday. 

Lovelight, a Kent-based non-profit organization, presented this festival at Roosevelt High School to fundraise for its programs serving local lower-income families. 

The festival began with an introduction by the executive director of LoveLight, Lisbeth Justice. 

The mayor of Kent, Jerry Fiala, also officially proclaimed Nov. 4 as “LoveLight Day” in Kent. 

Various vendors and small businesses from the Kent community came to the festival to sell their products and support Lovelight. 

Amy Lovejoy, owner of Heartwood Creations, is a second-year vendor at the festival. 

“It’s a lot of fun [and] it’s for a good cause, and I love making this kind of stuff for the community,” she said. 

All of the vendors were entirely different businesses, so there was something unique for every attendee’s interests. The Cutest Button, a small business owned by Ashley Head, sold holiday-themed shirts and cups at the festival.

“I like being able to get out into the Kent community and meet people,” she said. “This is a great way to do that.” 

The festival included a silent auction of decorated Christmas trees and Thanksgiving wreaths donated by local businesses and organizations. 

Katie Schuett is a second-year attendee of the festival. 

“It is such a great cause,” she said. “And I won a Christmas tree last year that I really liked, so I’m hoping to win another one this year.” 

Raffle tickets are for sale for baskets with items from the vendors at the festival as well as other local businesses. 

Many local Kent children also enjoyed the event with the kids’ table, which included various crafts and coloring books. 

Outside of the festival, a massive sculpture made out of used tires is showcased, as well as food and drinks. 

Concessions, including hot chocolate, muffins, and cookies, were free, but donations to LoveLight are appreciated. 

The Multicultural Holiday Festival was a great way to unite the community and raise money for LoveLight to continue impacting the city’s residents.

Chloe Harich is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].