STARKVILLE — When it comes to getting holiday shopping done early, the 51st Annual Holiday Bazaar is here to help.
Paige Watson, director of Main Street for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, said this year’s bazaar is two weeks earlier than normal, giving shoppers even more time to purchase gifts before the holidays. From Tuesday to Thursday, artisans, crafters and vendors will be set up at the Mill at MSU, many selling items that are handmade.
“We have 75 booths and 45 different vendors coming,” Watson said. “We have everything from clothing to handmade jewelry to art. … There are a lot of great Christmas gifts you just can’t find anywhere else.”
Early access is available during the “All is Bright” preview night from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, and at “Bubbly at the Bazaar” from 8:30-10 a.m. Wednesday. General admission for the bazaar opens from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Watson said.
A new element of the bazaar this year, Watson said, is the “Reindeer Raffle,” where attendees can purchase tickets for the potential to win prizes from local businesses, each worth at least $100. Altogether, the raffle prizes are worth about $5,000.
Josh Herrington, co-owner of Dunkington boutique, said he and his wife have been participating as vendors in the bazaar since 2016. Herrington said they have been working on their Christmas line, including ornaments, candles and more, for weeks to prepare for the market.
“I don’t want to sound cliche, but we’ve been like Santa’s elves in the workshop, knocking it out to make sure we have enough merchandise ready for it,” Herrington said. “It’s one of our bigger events. We do really good, and I look forward to it every year.”
Herrington said he also enjoys the market as a way to see the annual attendees, including visitors from Philadelphia, Tupelo and more, but also Starkville residents he doesn’t usually see at his store.
Rachael Potts has been living in Starkville for the past six years and has been attending the bazaar every year since she moved here. She said she uses the bazaar as a way to get unique, handmade items for everyone in her family.
“I usually don’t even make my full (Christmas) list until after I run through the bazaar, see what they have first, and then make my list,” Potts said.
Jan Miller, who formerly served as the director of Columbus Main Street and as executive director of the Columbus Arts Council, said she has been attending the bazaar as a shopper since its inception. For Miller, the bazaar is an event you just can’t miss.
“It’s just a really great atmosphere and it really kicks you into gear for Christmas,” Miller said. “I just love it. I just love to go and get a hot chocolate and talk to the vendors and spend a lot of money. But I like handmade things. I like a lot of the uniqueness of the vendors. There’s always really good stuff there.”
Tickets to the “All is Bright” preview night on Tuesday are available online on the Partnership’s website for $40, Watson said, but are going fast. Tickets for Bubbly at the Bazaar on Wednesday are $20 online and $25 at the door. General admission for Wednesday and Thursday is $5 at the door.
All admission charges benefit the Starkville Main Street Association. Email [email protected] for more information.
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