Weekend bazaars kick off holiday season in Lake County
Ellie Couture, 4, of Arlee, looks at merchandise during the annual Arlee Holiday Bazaar Saturday. (Photos by Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
The Arlee Brown Building hosted part of the annual Arlee Holiday Bazaar Saturday, where dozens of vendors and community members got into the holiday spirit.
The United Methodist Women held its annual holiday bazaar at the United Methodist Church north of St. Ignatius. The event benefits local youth and women charities. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
For the third year, the Senior Center of Ronan hosted a holiday bazaar. At $10 a table, about a dozen vendors kept their proceeds generated by sales.
Above the tranquil sounds filling The Hanging Art Gallery & Cafe in Arlee was a happy little voice, belonging to four-year-old Ellie Couture.
Ellie, who walked around the annual Arlee Bazaar Saturday with her mom, Christa, showed excitement looking at merchandise on display.
“She loves the unicorns,” Christa said with a laugh, as Ellie stood, mesmerized by a version of the mythical creature.
The mother-daughter duo attended the bazaar in support of a family friend.
While the holiday season was on the minds of many, as there were bazaars also in St. Ignatius and Ronan Saturday, Nov. 10, Christa said that she’s not necessarily ready for the hustle and bustle.
“My husband wants a tree, and he’s a huge Christmas person,” she said. “He’s just so joyous.”
Christa has two younger children, and explained that the commercial aspects of Christmas aren’t a point of focus in the household.
“Our Christmas policy is that Santa brings a gift, but the cool, awesome gifts come from us (parents),” Christa explained.
She said this instills an appreciation through the year for her children while also still participating in the Christmas season.
The family policy came about in part with how to keep the children humble, along with keeping gifts affordable.
“We believe we should be promoting goodness all year, not just in one month” out of the year, Christa said.
Ellie said last year, she got new socks and pajamas from Santa Claus.
“It’s a good way to keep the (holiday) magic going,” Christa added.
ORGANIZED BY The Brown Building Committee, the annual Arlee Bazaar hosted 22 vendors in the community gathering center while an additional five vendors were set up in The Hanging Art Gallery and Cafe.
Committee Secretary Paula Wofford said that around 90 people stopped inside the Brown Building to grab something to eat while they perused crafts.
Proceeds generated will go toward the upkeep of the Brown Building, Wofford.
OVER IN the Post Creek area, the United Methodist Church was filled with crafts and the smells of food.
Hosted by the United Methodist Women, proceeds generated by the bazaar will benefit local charities that focus on youth and women, according to UMW President Gretchen Schnitzer.
At least 200 people attended the event, which has been held for years.
FOR THE third year, the Senior Citizen of Ronan center held a bazaar, where the proceeds from the $10-table fee benefitted the center.
Linda Schoon, a co-organizer of the event, said that the holiday bazaar is not only a social activity for members and the community, but also a fundraiser for the senior center.
As the holiday bazaar gains momentum each year through word-of-mouth, Schoon said that organizers are hoping to put together another craft show in the spring.