The Highland High School Band Boosters are hosting the semiannual Arts and Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday.

The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Highland Middle School, located on the corner of 41st and 5th streets one block east of Kennedy Avenue. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night so you don't miss shopping and meeting old friends.

Admission and parking are free.

There will be a silent auction on Saturday that will include great bargains from numerous area businesses and crafters.

A concession stand will serve beef sandwiches, bratwurst and kraut, hot dogs and "marching tacos," and various soft drinks, coffee and water.

Visitors can bring along their cameras to take pictures of their children with the Easter Bunny both days from 12 to 3 p.m.

Hosting a fundraiser of this magnitude takes a lot of work and many volunteers, fair Co-chairman Jerry McMahon said. Band families participate, including students and parents. The Band Boosters host two craft fairs a year, one in the fall and the other in the spring, which allows them to limit the need for other fundraising throughout the year. November's fair brought out nearly 1,500 people.

The Band Boosters provide more funds for band programs in elementary through high school, as well as the color guard and winter guard programs. The money helps pay for such items as cleaning, altering and repairs to the marching uniforms, marching show expenses and drill design fees.

"The purpose of the Band Boosters is to enrich the band program through financial and moral support and to encourage and invite the involvement and support of parents, students as well as the community," said Sue Timm, the boosters' president. -- FOR THE TIMES