The Candy Cane Bazaar has grown from a small group of friends doing crafts into an annual tradition in its 46th year, which kick-starts the holiday shopping season. Nancy Stacy, co-chair of the event for more than 20 years, says the bazaar is “unique,” and will take place this year from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church, 4801 Spring Creek Road.
“It operates like a boutique, where items are arranged by category, not vendor, and shoppers make their selections and pay only once at a checkout station, rather than making exchanges with each seller,” she says.
About 20 vendors participate in the event each year, offering their own unique high-quality arts and crafts made by local artists and artisans, with no duplicate categories in the sale, she says.
A church bake sale will be going on the same hours as the bazaar. Becky Bradford, chairwoman of the bake sales says church parishioners donate homemade cookies, cakes, brownies, breads, pies, and more. Proceeds go to the church and about $500 is raised each year for the church’s general fund.
The Candy Cane Bazaar began with a small group of women friends who got together to do crafts and eventually had so much surplus, they decided to sell the items, says longtime crafter Cindy Hunsberger of Rockford. The bazaar got its name because one women made crocheted candy canes.
On the same day, Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, will host its annual “Tender Loving Crafts (TLC)” from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring about 30 crafters with their handmade items on the church’s main and upper level. A bake sale on the main floor and a Women’s Upscale Resale Clothing sale on the lower level will be held the same hours. The United Methodist Women’s Quilting Group is also selling quilts, table runners, and other handmade items they have made the past year.
Another tradition, Cider ‘N Cinnamon Arts & Crafts Fair will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 1 and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Oct. 2 at Edgebrook Shops, 1639 N. Alpine Road. ❚