Party shoppers

Holiday bazaars, craft
shows offer fun way
to shop for loved ones

Many enjoy the socializing
more than the actual shopping

By Konnie McCollum
Contributing Writer

On the second Saturday of November every year for the past several decades, the cars start lining up early at the Jennings County, Ind., Community Building. People know to get there early if they want to find great handmade gifts for their friends and family members.

Photo provided by Maryellen Garrison Children explore toys at the Henry County Holiday Extension Bazaar in New Castle, Ky.

The Jennings County Extension Homemakers holds its traditional crafts bazaar each year on the Saturday after Election Day. Hundreds of people participate in what is referred to throughout the county as the annual holiday kickoff.
Around the region, more of these annual community bazaars, many sponsored by churches, schools and nonprofit organizations, are being organized. Not only do they offer some unique gift ideas at reasonable prices, they also have become highly anticipated social events for their communities.
Janet Speer, past president and advisor for the Jennings County Extension Homemakers, said this year’s bazaar on Nov. 10 featured more than 47 vendors with a huge diversity of handcrafted items from hand-painted gourds to giant Christmas wreathes of fresh greenery. This year, vendors featuring hard-to-find collectibles, such as NASCAR items and coins, were allowed to also participate.
“Lots of people showed up to shop and visit,” said Speer. “It was a very successful and enjoyable day.”
The Jennings County Extension Homemakers chose to hold their annual bazaar earlier in November than many others because they found people aren’t as busy as later in the holiday season. “We like to help people get into the holiday spirit,” said Speer. “People come here to look for gifts they wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.”
The Artisan and Spirit Fest, held Nov. 10 at the North Oldham County High School Gymnasium, in Goshen, Ky., was another early chance for shoppers to get a jump on holiday gift buying.
“We had excellent vendors with a unique variety of goods,” said Diane Rowan. “This was our first event, so we didn’t know really know what to expect.” The bazaar was a fundraiser for the high school.
Indeed, there was a vendor featuring Kentucky handmade journals with handmade paper, wood turners and carvers with handcrafted rolling pins, walking canes and pepper grinders, and ink pens hand-carved from the wood of the old University of Kentucky gymnasium.
“There was simply something unusual for everyone who came out to shop,” said Rowan.

Photo provided by Maryellen Garrison Shoppers examine the booths and enjoy socializing during the Henry County Extension Holiday Bazaar. The event is a popular attraction in New Castle that provides food and fun for those attending. The show is sponsored by the Henry County Extension Office.

Many people took advantage of the opportunity to visit with the crafters and hear their stories, while others gathered in groups to visit with old friends or new ones. “The overall shopping experience and socializing was very pleasant,” said Rowan. “People of all ages, including seniors, men, women, and children, really enjoyed the day visiting here.”
That particular Saturday in November was a busy bazaar day throughout the area. In Henry County, the Homemaker Organization also held its 15th annual Henry County Extension Holiday Bazaar.
Hundreds of people in a constant stream filed in and out of the county 4-H Fairgrounds looking not only for gift, but also looking forward to socializing with friends and neighbors, said Henry County Extension Service Agent Maryellen Garrison. “This has become a prime social networking opportunity for residents in our country. The majority of the people who come here are local, and they love to get together and visit with people they haven’t seen in awhile.”
It’s not just women and children who gather at these bazaars. This year, artist Rodger Coombs, who creates wildlife portraits on turkey feathers, was a popular booth for men. “At one point, there were four men all completely dressed in camouflage standing around talking to Coombs,” said Garrison. “That’s an unusual sight, here.”
Much of the hand-crafted items on display at the Henry County Extension Bazaar, including a variety of unique jewelry and wood-turned things, are made by locals in the community. “These are high-quality, hand-crafted items,” said Garrison. “We try to use this opportunity to keep local holiday money in our county to help our local economy.”
On Nov. 17, Immaculate Conception's Marian Center, in La Grange, Ky., was the site of the center's third annual Artisan Showcase. More than 25 vendors featured goods that included hand-crafted jewelry, wood pieces, textiles, embroidery, knitting and more.
“Our price range was appropriate enough that even children could get gifts for parents,” said Sue Fuller, showcase coordinator.
At this bazaar, a popular attraction was the knitted items, hand-carved wine bottle corks, and hand-carved rolling pins. “There was such a unique blend of crafts available,” said Fuller.
Those who were finished shopping, or taking a break found plenty of other shoppers at the food court, where many sat and chatted. Other shoppers used the opportunity to talk with their favorite crafter and perhaps gather some good advice or garner a few tips.
Buckner, Ky., residents will get a chance to browse for specialty gifts and unique craft items in the Dec. 1 annual Buckner Elementary School Craft Show. During the event, scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, children will have the opportunity to have breakfast with Santa, while parents shop through the diverse selection of crafts.
“We have a great group of vendors for this year’s bazaar,” said coordinator Heather Parker. “People will be able to find those extra-special personal gifts that show how much they really think about someone.”
There will be hand-crafted primitive signs, handmade ornaments, an assortment of handmade jewelry, home décor items and more. There will also be concessions, children’s games and a craft area for children to create their own works.
Parker said the variety of available handicrafts is always amazing. “One year we had a Boy Scout troop that made log reindeers, and they were extremely popular.”
Also on Dec. 1, residents on the other side of the Ohio River will have an entire town to browse through during the Hanover Parks Christmas Bazaar and the Hanover College Christmas Craft Show. The Hanover Parks Bazaar will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hanover Community Building, 20 Spruce Lane. The Hanover College Christmas Craft Show will be held at Lynn Hall and J. Graham Brown Campus Center.
More than 300 people from around the area are expected to shop and socialize at these two events. “People have come to expect our bazaar,” said Hanover Park manager Nancy Burris. “We start getting phone calls months in advance from interested vendors and visitors. I can’t imagine what people would do if it wasn’t held one year.”
During the bazaar and craft show, people will be able to browse through more than 60 booths at Hanover College of fine crafted items, including candles, wood crafts, textiles and home décor.
At the Hanover Community Center, shoppers will also find an array of unique and personal handicrafts. There will also be a silent auction and a bid auction on various items. Visitors can enjoy a soup and sandwich lunch, visit with friends and simply sit and listen to holiday music.
“Some people simply come to eat lunch and talk,” said Burris. “It’s just a great social event for the entire community.”