'Tis the season … already

It hasn't even snowed in Alaska yet, but it's already time to start thinking about the holidays.

At least that's what it feels like as the craft fair and bazaar season officially begins this weekend in the Valley.

For the last two days, the Valley Artists Guild has been presenting its annual craft fair, which continues through the end of today at the Cottonwood Creek Mall.

Their bazaar annually kicks off the holiday season, and there are no shortages in bazaars in the Valley this year.

There are about 25 craft fairs on the schedule, filling every weekend from now through Christmas -- which is still more than two months away. Even before the first note of Jingle Bells is played on the radio, craft fairs are up and running in the Valley.

"Ours is usually the first bazaar of the season," said Nancy Howes of the Valley Artists Guild. "It gets things started in the Valley."

Stained glass, painted gold pans, pottery, woodworking items, jewelry and just about every other conceivable craft will be on display at places ranging from Talkeetna to Sutton on virtually every weekend, giving Christmas craft shoppers plenty of choices to fill their shopping lists.

"Every year there seems to be more and more bazaars popping up," said Dolores Blauser, a Wasilla grandmother and frequent bazaar visitor.

While there are many smaller bazaars and craft fairs planned throughout the Valley this holiday season, there are two major events that most holiday shoppers hitting the bazaar circuit have to hit. The first of the season is the Alaska State Fair holiday bazaar, which takes place Oct. 25-27 at Raven Hall.

More than 100 vendors will be at the second-annual event. Last year, the fair was a rousing success, and this year, organizers are hoping for even bigger and better results.

There is a $1 admission, and people can win door prizes during the fair.

The other "biggie" is the Colony High School bazaar, annually the largest in the Valley.

The day after Thanksgiving -- Nov. 30 this year -- Colony High School comes alive as more than 150 vendors and thousands of customers pack CHS for the fair. Parking is often limited, and getting there early is a must.

The bazaar is a fund-raiser for CHS Extended-Learning Program and Close Up students. There are events going on during the day, including homemade soup sales for lunch.

People from around the state come to the Colony bazaar because of its reputation as being among the best around.

"This is the one we hit every year. It's become a holiday tradition for me and my daughters," Rochelle Yancey said in an earlier Frontiersman article.

"We are here right when it opens and spend hours going through everything. You have to plan to be here the whole day to get through everything," Yancey said.

A big reason people like to shop the bazaars and craft fairs is that you can pick up unique gifts that are locally made.

"There are a lot of really talented people at the craft fairs," Yancey said. "And by buying things from them, you are helping support them. I'd rather buy a gift from a local crafter than spend money on something made in Taiwan that there are a million of."

If your organization is hosting a craft fair or bazaar this holiday season and is not included in the schedule at right, please e-mail the information to valleylife@frontiersman.com or fax the information to 352-2276. We will periodically be including the listing in future editions.

Bazaar schedule

Alaska State Fair

holiday bazaar

Oct. 25-27 in Raven Hall on the fairgrounds. More than 100 vendors in one of the largest bazaars of the year. Admission is $1 and includes chances at door prizes. Call 746-7168.

Christmas on the Farm

Oct. 25-27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Muth Farm, Mile 3.7 Palmer Fishhook Road. Call 746-0432.

Sidekicks open house

Nov. 1-3, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 832 S. Colony Way, Palmer. Call 746-4438.

Valley Seniors craft fair

Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 3, noon to 4 p.m., Wasilla Area Seniors Center, 1301 Century Circle. Handcrafted items only. Call 376-3104.

Pioneer Ridge winter bazaar and open house

Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pioneer Ridge Bed and Breakfast Inn -- from the Parks Highway and follow the signs 1 1/2 miles up Fairview Loop. Call 376-7472.

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Christian Women's Group

Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 323 N. Alaska Street in Palmer. Call 745-9173.

Bad Girls of the North show

Nov. 8, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Nov. 9-10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the new Evangelo's. Call 746-7627.

Willow Craft Fair

Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Willow Community Center, Mile 69.5 Parks Hwy. Table spaces are $10. Homemade soups, breads and baked goods. Call 495-1250.

Big Lake Lions Club bazaar

Annual bazaar, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Lake Mall in Big Lake. Health fair and Santa Claus will make a visit. Call 892-8848 or 892-6502.

Lamb of God Lutheran

holiday bazaar

Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1220 Church Road. Call 373-0449.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly bazaar

Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Call 376-9571.

Valley Hospital Employee and Volunteer Craft Fair

Nov. 21 at Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla and Nov. 22 at Valley Hospital in Palmer, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Call Cathy Smith at 746-8781.

PHS cheerleaders bazaar

Nov. 22-23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch served on Friday. Call 745-2723.

Upper Susitna Senior craft fair

Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mile 98.4 Parks Hwy. Handcrafted jewelry, pottery and stained glass. Call 733-2445.

Colony High School bazaar

Nov. 30 at Colony High School. The largest bazaar in the Valley is also a fund-raiser for CHS students. Call 746-4204.

Historic Christmas

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on consecutive Saturdays from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21 at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, Mile 47 Parks Hwy. Call 376-1211.

Willow United Methodist Church bazaar

Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, located at Mile 68 Parks Hwy. Call 495-1000.

Palmer Senior Citizens Center bazaar

Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the center, located at 831 S. Chugach Street in Palmer. Lunch available, free coffee. Call 745-5454.

Palmer Community School Council bazaar

Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Palmer Junior Middle School. Handcrafted items and foods. Call 376-0831.

St. Bernard's bazaar

Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Talkeetna. Call 733-2420.

Homespun Christmas

Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Butte Elementary School. Craft vendors and a "make-it, take-it" table for kids. Call 745-4871 or 745-2778.

Christmas craft show

Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Palmer Depot and Mat-Su Borough Gym, sponsored by Palmer Chamber of Commerce as part of the Colony Christmas celebration. Call 745-2880.