The Wood Center housed the University Women’s Association or UWA 39th annual holiday bazaar this weekend. The sights and sounds of the local vendors delighted the mind, heartened the soul and lightened the pocketbook. There was just about everything anyone could want available there, from stained glass earrings to handmade Scottish tartans.

The bazaar is the main fund raising event for the UWA, which uses the money to fund scholarships for women. The UWA hosts other events through the year but this is their biggest fundraiser.

Musicians were booked to play at the event for both days. Some of the groups included were Hot Denali Harps, a harmonica group, Northern Lights String Quartet and Celtic Confusion. The music delighted the ear and added spring to the buyers’ steps. Some found it a nice excuse to stop shopping and just stand or sit to listen to the music as it played.

From small children to gray haired grandmothers the bazaar attracted people of all ages.  There were, of course, many college students who attended the event, and most people attending knew about it in advance, but it still snuck up on some people. As Shalom Schrader said, “I didn’t know it was coming.” 

There were vendors on the main level of the Wood Center as well as in the Ballroom with a few by the stairs.

The vendors spent the lag time between customers talking to each other and in some cases working on more items to sell at a later date. It was very much a way for people to talk to one another and find that perfect Christmas gift.

Some of the vendors had been selling their wares at this bazaar for years while others are fairly new to the event.  Teal Rogers, an earring vendor said she has been attending this bazaar as a hawker for two years. While Kristen Dubois, a vendor of stained glass working at the same table as Teal said “I’ve been selling snowflakes at this bazaar for years.” And when asked how many years she has done it she said “Ten, twelve years.”

Model UN was represented at this year’s event by a table selling dove ornaments as well as manning the coat check.  They were there to raise money to go to an event in New York come spring.

The vendors sell items that are either handmade or altered to their desire. Many have stores scattered around Fairbanks and use this bazaar as a way to get more publicity and make some money.  

At an event like this, many people have a favorite reason for liking it. Heike Dennhard liked the wares for sale because, “You know they are from Alaska.” Teal Rogers, vendor of earrings said her favorite part of the event is “Making it and then seeing everybody buy the stuff.”