Alaska State Fair hosts annual holiday bazaar

PALMER — The leaves have fallen, the snow is coming down the mountains and the holiday bazaars are back.

The holiday season is approaching fast.

The Alaska State Fair kicked off the holiday season with the Alaska State Fair Holiday Bazaar Saturday and Sunday at the state fairgrounds in Palmer.

There were many vendors from around the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. Raven Hall was filled with customers, young and old, shopping for Christmas gifts, and those just looking for gift ideas. This particular event has grown so much in the past few years that, in addition to is home at Raven Hall, the Hoskins building next door was opened up for more vendors.

With more than 100 booths to choose from, shoppers walked around with friends and family getting into the holiday spirit. Many of the vendors had adorned their booths in Christmas decorations making it a little bit easier to feel the holiday cheer in the air.

This year the bazaar was filled with a variety of homemade goods and arts and crafts. There was plenty for shoppers to choose from whether it was jams and jellies, clothing, yarn and fabrics, pottery or wood carvings they were looking for. Vendors like Dean and Erika Everding were on their fourth year selling wood carvings. The couple says they enjoy the opportunities of face-to-face sales, as well as the blend of new and revisiting customers.

Sheri Mattson opened up a booth on her own for the first time this year. Mattson was one of the pottery booths open with her handcrafted mugs, plates, cups and more on display for sale. Working out of Valley Pottery and her home studio, Mattson said she plans on attending many more bazaars and craft fairs this holiday season.

While vendors were busy coaxing customers in, a majority of the people walked around to the sound of Christmas carols playing faintly overhead through the speakers. Everyone was busy looking around at all there was to offer, trying to find the perfect gift for a friend or family member.

Many shoppers continued to walk around and browse as well as sample the honeys and nectars that were there. Others sat off to the sides waiting for their shopping partner or trying out their new purchases. Jennifer Morgan sat off to the side while others walked about. Morgan comes down to check out what the holiday bazaar had to offer this year.

“It helps with Christmas gift ideas,” Morgan said.