The Associated Women for Pepperdine (AWP) hosted their annual fall festival, “A World Fair,” on Friday in efforts to raise funds for charity.
The fall festival is the longest running event for AWP, beginning in 1958 when the organization was first created at the original Pepperdine campus in Los Angeles. The AWP raises money through their fall festival to provide financial assistance and service to the Christian students at Pepperdine with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward their scholarship account.
“The mission for Associated Women of Pepperdine is to be in partnership with the University to bring Christian students to the University and to help support specifically Church of Christ students from our heritage, so we try to work with who are a good fit and we raise money specifically for scholarships for those students,” said AWP Coordinator Tami Williamson.
The year’s festival featured one-of-a-kind items from around the world such as jewelry created by the Maasai Tribe in Kenya, hand-carved painted boxes from Romania, oriental boxes, Persian rugs and small, delicate porcelain pieces that showcased the artistry of a wide variety of countries.
The whole atmosphere of the fall festival highlighted the theme of “A World Fair” with its marketplace and bazaar like feel. A portion of the Caf was filled with tables holding items of silver and porcelain, cutlery and other unique finds, while the couches by the fireplace were lined with new and well-worn books. The portable walls dotted with unique hand-painted pictures and eye-catcing antique furniture pieces also added to the festival’s foreign marketplace feel.
The fair continued into the Fireside Room which held more unique finds for guests to sort through. Vendors selling contemporary and antique jewelry pieces, vintage clothing and handcrafted notecards brought the room to life with bright colors and music as they conversed with guests.
“The items are donated from estates and we also bring in other vendors that have their own products and they give us a percentage of their sales for the day. They are all items that have been donated by people who love AWP and Pepperdine and students,” Williamson said.
Guests were also able to make bids on certain items like as a handmade Disney-themed tote bag, an autographed copy of “Children Won’t Wait” by Helen M. Young and round-trip American Airline tickets.
The friendly and inviting atmosphere of the fall festival attracted students, faculty and returning guests who talked and laughed with each other as they sifted through the large selection of unique finds scattered throughout the rooms. Not only did the festival have something that fit a wide variety of tastes — from contemporary to classic items and practical to decorative pieces — it also had wide range of prices. Items were priced anywhere from 50 cents for some of the books to $350 for the larger furniture pieces, providing a range that was perfect for both the college student on a budget and guests looking to make an investment.
The energy and excitement of the event never ceased throughout the day as the members of the AWP answered questions, helped guests find items and connected with students and faculty during this time-honored tradition that has come to define the organization.
“This is the one fundraiser that has happened every single year and we will continue it next yea, and the year after,” said Williamson
It looks like the fall festival is here to stay as one of the oldest and most honored traditions of both the AWP and Pepperdine.
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As published in the Nov. 7 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
