Some people love shopping at the mall on Black Friday. The idea of fighting traffic in the parking lot and jostling with thousands of other customers for savings on televisions and socks really gets their heart racing. I prefer to stay at home, watch football and enjoy a turkey sandwich. This year, I discovered there is a third choice. Do some local shopping of beautifully handcrafted items at the Holiday Bazaar at the Thurston County Fairgrounds.
The Holiday Bazaar began over 30 years ago at Saint Martin’s University. The City of Lacey ran the bazaar each year over the Thanksgiving weekend until five years ago. In 2011, the Thurston County Fair took over and moved the bazaar to the fairgrounds.
I sat down with Kathy Bailey, member of the Thurston County Fair board and steward of the Holiday Bazaar to talk about shopping local. It is important to note that I met with Kathy during her lunch hour at Joint Animal Services where she works full-time. Running the Holiday Bazaar is an unpaid volunteer job that she does because she loves supporting local crafters.
Kathy grew up in the area and went to high school in the rural town of Rainier. She was involved in FFA all through high school. The agricultural education opportunities were the highlight of Bailey’s summers growing up. When she heard the Thurston County Fair was seeking board members she happily joined. Originally thinking it would be an advisory board, she quickly learned that it was going to be hands-on and a lot of work.
Kathy had a history with the Bazaar beginning as a vendor with her Mom. “I love the Holiday Bazaar,” explains Kathy. “The interaction between vendors and the customers brings so much creativity together.” Soon she was put in charge of the Holiday Bazaar and it is clear she loves it. “I enjoy giving back to the community,” Bailey tells me. Her years at FFA have served her well as she is doing a fabulous job and the Holiday Bazaar continues to grow each year.
The Holiday Bazaar features many different types of handcrafted gifts. You could complete your shopping in one day. Items cannot be found in traditional stores like wooden pens hand-turned on lathes, glass bird baths and homemade laundry soaps were just a few of the gift ideas that caught my eye on the long list of vendors that will be showing their wares the last weekend in November. Where else could you find a painter using coffee as a medium?
Kathy is partial to the “upcycled decor” items at the Holiday Bazaar. Everyday items that may have been discarded are used to create unique decorative pieces. She describes a set of hooks made from the heads of golf clubs, a perfect and one-of-a-kind gift for the golfer in your life. Horseshoe art is another unique offering from one of the Holiday Bazaar vendors.
Many vendors will be selling gourmet foods for gifting or your holiday meals. Always a crowd favorite, smoked salmon will available along with smoked cheeses, jams and locally produced sweets like chocolate and caramels.
Admission to the Holiday Bazaar is free along with free parking so don’t miss out on this truly festive shopping experience. Oskar’s Deli will be selling sandwiches, soup and their famous Bavarian pastries. No Thurston County event would be complete without an espresso stand and because it is the fair after all, kettle corn will be available for sale.
Donate non-perishable food items for the Thurston County Food Bank as well new and gently used coats, boots and gloves for Community Youth Services. Students from Nisqually Middle School have been enlisted to help out the vendors and work with the fair to make this year a success.
Holiday Bazaar at the Thurston County Fairgrounds
Admission and parking are free
Friday, November 25 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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