POULSBO — The only thing missing from last weekend’s North Kitsap Holiday Fest was a team of nine reindeer, one with a glowing red nose.

Holiday Fest, which is a yearly tradition at the high school, carried off its Christmas theme on Saturday and Sunday. There were elves, carolers, and even a plastic Santa Claus to watch over the event. Hundreds of shoppers filled the school’s campus ready to inspect and purchase the wares of about 130 vendors, who set up booths in the school’s main gym, auxiliary gym, commons, and hallways.

The event raises funds for the school ASB, as well as for other student groups which set up food booths.

One elf — actually a student helper with a red sweater and red-and-white Santa hat — said business was booming.

“They make bank on this,” senior Rachel Tefft said on Sunday. “The Honor Society made $600 yesterday on potatoes alone.”

Tefft was one of the dozens of students who helped throughout the event by fetching the vendors coffee and baked potatoes, manning booths during breaks, and doing whatever else needed to be done.

“They call us ‘elves’ because we run around and help people,” said Tefft. “The main reasons a lot of vendors come back is because of us.”

As for the vendors, they offered everything from scented candles to emu oil, from miniature stuffed bears to artwork which patrons can hang on walls.

Some of the art was even student-made. One booth featured artistic wall clocks created by some of North Kitsap High School’s hobbyists. Senior Derek Deeter wanted to point to his, but couldn’t; it had already been sold.

“I enjoyed making the clock,” he said.

Boothmate James Hanson agreed, then added that he had an expanded role last year.

“Last year I was an elf,” he said. “I helped vendors, got coffee, things like that… that was pretty fun.”

Co-coordinator Leah Titze said the students have been instrumental in the event’s success.

“They’re so smart, I don’t know what we’d do without them around,” Titze said.

In the past, money raised by the two-day event has gone to such large purchases as the school’s reader board.