'Tis the season

With Halloween more than two weeks away, it's time for one thing -- Christmas shopping.

When it comes to holiday bazaars, there is no such thing as being too early. That's why the holiday bazaar season in the Valley officially starts this weekend, when the Valley Artists Guild hosts its annual event at the Cottonwood Creek Mall.

Every year, the VAG hosts the first craft bazaar of the season, meaning the holidays are soon behind -- even if you don't have a Halloween costume picked out or a pumpkin carved yet.

"It's hard to believe we're already in the season," said Tammie Kerby of the Valley Artists Guild. "Before you know it, Christmas will be here."

The VAG show kicks off a busy two months in the Valley, with craft fairs and bazaars scheduled virtually every weekend.

The featured artist at the VAG show this weekend is George Bruce, a retired Wasilla resident who makes homemade birdhouses and feeders.

He opened a wood shop in the B&J Annex in 1981, but sold the business three years later. For the past nine years, he has been tinkering with wood and making the houses.

Bruce sells his products to local gift shops and retail outlets, and at craft fairs. He does about eight to nine craft fairs a year, he estimated.

The Valley Artist Guild is a nonprofit organization that donates art supplies to schools using money made during the show.

While the organization's bazaar is the first of the season, it certainly isn't the last. There are craft shows and bazaars through Christmas weekend, with weekends in November packed with fairs, from Talkeetna to Palmer.

Next weekend the Alaska State Fair hosts a holiday bazaar at Raven Hall that is annually one of the larger events of the holiday season. More than 120 vendors participate in the show, which is open on Saturday and Sunday. There is a $1 admission fee.

The biggest holiday bazaar in the Valley takes place on Nov. 29, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The Colony High School bazaar has built quite a reputation from vendors and customers alike.

More than 175 vendors are expected again this year, with food, child care and concessions offered. Plus, it's for a good cause, as the money raised helps support CHS students' activities.

If you really want to get busy, wait until the weekend of Nov. 14-16, when you can take your pick of at least seven Valley craft fairs.

But if you are not into craft fairs, don't worry. You still have two weeks to figure out what you're going to be for Halloween.

Valley bazaars

Here's a look at the upcoming holiday bazaars and schedules for the Mat-Su Valley:

Oct. 17-19

Valley Artists Guild Craft Show, Cottonwood Creek Mall. Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Oct. 19, noon to 5 p.m. This is the 20th year and one of the larger events in the Valley during the bazaar season. Call 892-6348.

Oct. 25-26

Alaska State Fair Holiday Bazaar, at Raven Hall, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26. More than 120 vendors participate, and a wide variety of items are available. Admission is $1. Call Diana Kaspar at 746-7186 for more information.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2

St. Bartholomew's Christmas Bazaar, Luncheon and Bake Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at 323 Alaska St. in Palmer. Lunch is $5. Call Tubby Beauman at 745-9173 for more information.

Nov. 7-9

Valley Seniors Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 8 and noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 19 at 1301 Century Circle in Wasilla. Breakfast and lunch served all day. Call Dee at 376-3104 for more information.

Nov. 14-16

Bad Girls of the North Do The Valley, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 15, at Evangelo's. One-of-a-kind items including soaps, silk, jewelry and jams. Call Carol at 746-7627 or Vicki at 688-0505.

Big Lake Lions Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 16 in the Eastlake Mall. Proceeds support holiday giving and community projects. Call 892-8479 or 892-6404.

Palmer Senior Citizens Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the center in Palmer. Homemade foods as well as crafts. Call Louise Harris at 745-5454 or Isabelle Rogan at 745-4375.

I-Dita-Bazaar, Iditarod Elementary School, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 15. Held by the PTA. Mix of locally made goods and nationally known businesses. Call Sheryl Pierce at 376-5371.

St. Bernard's Christmas Bazaar, at the Talkeetna church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 15. Call Jenny Krepel at 733-6103.

TOPS Holiday Bazaar, by Alaska Take Off Pounds Sensibly #115, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla. Call Phyllis Craig at 892-1216.

Willow Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Willow Community Center. Featuring items from local crafters and artists. Homemade soups, breads and desserts. Interested people can call Gail Just at 495-4056 for more information.

Nov. 21-23

Upper Susitna Seniors Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 22. Local artists from Talkeetna and the upper Susitna Valley will be there. Lunch is available for purchase. Call Pat Drover at 733-2445.

Palmer Cheerleaders Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 at the Palmer Moose Lodge on Cobb Street. On Nov. 21, there will be a luncheon of roast beef, salad and dessert for $7. Call Shari Williams at 745-3073 for vendor information.

Nov. 28-30

Colony High School Bazaar, largest bazaar of the holiday season in the Valley, with more than 175 vendors. Food, child care, concessions and door prizes offered. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 only. Money raised helps CHS. Call Dave Rose or Gena Graham at 746-4204.

Dec. 5-7

VHA Holiday Craft Fair, by Valley Hospital. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the hospital. VHA staff and volunteers will have a wide variety of items for sale. Call Cathy Smith at 746-8781.

Willow United Methodist Church Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at the church, located at Mile 67.5 Parks Hwy. Cookie walk, soup and fresh bread offered. Call Phyllis at 495-6436.