Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar Offers Handmade Gifts, Holiday Spirit

thurston county holiday bazaar
From traditional to whimsical, the Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar offers many unique gift items you can’t find anywhere else. Photo courtesy of Kathy Bailey
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By Gale Hemmann

thurston county holiday bazaar
The Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar is a local favorite because shoppers get to buy handmade gifts from artisans in their own community. Photo courtesy of Kathy Bailey

What’s your favorite thing about the holidays? Even as adults, we all have something we secretly get giddy about. I love trying to find the perfect little gifts for friends and family – those little stocking-stuffers and other items that are handmade and send a special message.

If you, like me, look for gifts with a personal touch, you’re in for a treat. The Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar is just around the corner. On Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29, 2014, you can enjoy a truly spirited bazaar offering an array of handmade items, treats, and more. Held at the historic Thurston County Fairgrounds, the bazaar brings together over 100 select vendors.

The bazaar offers free admission and free parking. You can also enjoy a carriage ride and purchase food, hot chocolate, and lattes, making it a perfect family outing. Donations of non-perishable food items are accepted for the Thurston County Food Bank at the door. This year, the bazaar is also collecting new and gently used winter items such as coats and gloves for Community Youth Services (they especially need larger sizes for youth ages 12 and older). So you can make the bazaar an opportunity for holiday giving as well as a day of fun.

thurston county holiday bazaar
Bring the family for a day of fun in an old-fashioned bazaar atmosphere. Photo courtesy of Kathy Bailey

Now in its fourth year, the bazaar bills itself as “a truly festive shopping experience,” and I can tell you from experience, it does not disappoint. I am a seasoned bazaar-goer, and the Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar is a “must-do” on my list every year as I plan my bazaar rounds.

So what can you expect to find at the Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar? In short, a bit of everything. I spoke with Kari Bodnar, Thurston County Fair Administrative Assistant, to get a sneak peak of what’s in store this year.

Bodnar says you’ll find a wonderful array of goods, from handmade holiday treasures to gourmet treats. Look for plenty of Christmas ornaments and decorations, including fresh wreaths. You can also find botanical products, jewelry, woodcrafts, metal art, quilted and knitted items, and more. And food always makes a great bet for a gift – you’ll want to check out the many gourmet food vendors (think artisanal cheeses, jams, sauces, and candies).

Another unique aspect of the Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar is the Children Entrepreneurs’ Section. This area offers youth an opportunity to put their creative and business skills to work. As Bodnar says, “Children are usually making things to raise money for their clubs or just for fun…lots of jewelry, paintings, and crafty items.” This is another great reason to support the bazaar – you’ll be supporting Thurston County youth in reaching their goals.

thurston county holiday bazaar
From traditional to whimsical, the Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar offers many unique gift items you can’t find anywhere else. Photo courtesy of Kathy Bailey

The Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar features handcrafted items only – you won’t find any mass-produced or commercially-made goods. So you can delight in an old-fashioned holiday bazaar, filled with vendors who truly put time and care into their goods.

I asked Bodnar why she encouraged local residents to shop at the bazaar. Says Bodnar, “Most of the vendors are our neighbors, local people. It’s a great experience to see all the unique things people make in their very own homes. Bazaars are a fun way to buy gifts because of the uniqueness…it’s just comfortable and personal. Not to mention you can get a warm hot chocolate or latte to go with your carriage ride.”

Bodnar worked hand-in-hand with volunteer Kathy Bailey, a Thurston County Fair Board member, to put together this year’s bazaar. I spoke with Bailey, who told me she first got involved with the bazaar over 20 years ago as a vendor. To this day, she and her mother sell their lovingly hand-crafted items at the Fair bazaar. Kathy makes adorable hand-sewn animals; her mother sews potholders and other gift items. She says she loves being involved with the bazaar because of all the ways it supports the community.

The Thurston County Fair has a rich history, spanning back over 140 years (you can read all about the fair’s history and role in Thurston County here). Shopping at the bazaar not only supports the local artisans, it helps support the Thurston County Fairgrounds and the fair in general, notes Bodnar. Though times and technologies may have changed, the handmade goods at the bazaar represent a classic tradition that Olympia-area settlers would have been proud of.

thurston county holiday bazaar
The Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar welcomes you with handmade goodies, hot chocolate, and sleigh rides. Photo courtesy of Kathy Bailey

So, fellow Olympia shoppers, as you head into the holiday season you’ll definitely want to grab the family and your shopping lists, and hit the Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar.

For more information about the bazaar, visit the Thurston County Fair website and “like” them on Facebook.

The event is also sponsored by Mixx 96 FM radio.

Thurston County Fair Holiday Bazaar

Thurston County Fairgrounds

3054 Carpenter Road, Lacey, WA 98503

Friday, November 28, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 29, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

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