�����Ƶ

Zarilla said she estimated about 1,200 people attended the first Renaissance Fair at Barboursville Park on April 6. The event served as a fundraiser for Harmony House, but she said it was more meant to be a chance for the community to come together and create something unique for the Huntington area.

�����Ƶ�We had 55 artisans, vendors and performers there,�����Ƶ� Zarilla said. �����Ƶ�Many of them were brand new businesses, small businesses, local businesses and we had several performers from out of town.�����Ƶ�

Harmony House was not the only group to benefit. Local businesses and artists had the opportunity to interact with the community. Zarilla said she knew of some businesses that thought they would not turn a profit, only to find themselves rushing to restock merchandise.

�����Ƶ�Almost every single vendor completely sold out, some of them multiple times,�����Ƶ� Zarilla said.

Zarilla said the event was a way to highlight the various artists and performers in the area and drum up tourism. She said she came up with the idea on a whim and was surprised when Harmony House chose to go forward with her idea.

The event took 11 months to design and prepare. Alongside local businesses, Zarilla said Marshall University�����Ƶ�s Craft Club and Fencing Club helped with the event.

Zarilla said the fair helped with a lot of the programs at Harmony House.

Jaclyn Wood, assistant director at Harmony House, said while the organization receives funding through grants, the bulk of its funding comes through fundraisers such as the Renaissance Fair.

Wood said Harmony House focuses on helping those experiencing homelessness. Harmony House is the only day shelter in Cabell and Wayne counties. The shelter provides showers, laundry rooms, food, and hygiene products. Harmony House also helps people get around barriers restricting them from getting housed.

�����Ƶ�We feel like everyone deserves to be housed and healthy regardless of their status,�����Ƶ� Wood said. �����Ƶ�We believe that housing is a right, not a privilege.�����Ƶ�

Zarilla said $27,000 was raised through the event.

On social media, numerous attendees and vendors shared their excitement and gratitude for the event. Multiple users were already posting about their excitement for next year.

Wood said she believed the large interest in the event was due to the lack of local Renaissance Fairs in the area.

The event was not without problems. Zarilla said just days before the event, was when severe weather passed through the Huntington area. Then, on the day of the event, multiple food trucks dropped out.

Zarilla said the event was possible thanks to all who participated, even if they shared the news of the event. She said she was already thinking about ways to make the event bigger. Some ideas included performances being more interactive and creating more activities for children.

Zarilla said she hopes the event will continue for decades and become a big part of the Huntington area.