STARKVILLE — Where else can one get a hand-made Christmas wreath, wooden spoons carved from bois d’arc trees and a frozen spinach and artichoke casserole, all in one trip?
The Christmas Handworks Bazaar, hosted by First United Methodist Church, is Friday and features hand-crafted holiday items, like pottery, jewelry, picture frames and children’s clothes. Cookies, muffins, sandwiches, caramel cakes and scones will be available for purchase.
Doors open at the Christian Life Center of First United on 200 West Lampkin Street at 9 a.m. Friday. The bazaar will run longer than in previous years, remaining open until 5:30 p.m. to accommodate shoppers who work during the day.
The bazaar is free and open to the public.
While holiday bazaars are common this time of year, First United organizers hang their hat on the originality and the goodwill mission of the Handworks Bazaar, which benefits the Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity.
Last year, 500 guests visited the Handworks Bazaar, which raised more than $7,000 for Habitat for Humanity.
Four years ago, organizers decided to scrap the traditional format of inviting vendors from large markets in favor of statewide vendors who use their God-given talents to craft items by hand, First United organizer Pam Hunt said.
“We didn’t want to compete with the merchants downtown,” Hunt said. “We feel this setup creates a very friendly atmosphere. Even our vendors tell us there’s a sweet spirit at the bazaar. It’s not just a fundraiser or a place to get Christmas gifts; people leave feeling better about everything.”
More than 100 volunteers from the church have prepared chicken salad — a crowd favorite — various casseroles and desserts in preparation for Friday’s bazaar. Church members of the large congregation have bonded during time they’d normally not spend together.
“We came into the kitchen and we were up to our elbows in mushrooms, spinach and artichokes,” Hunt said. “There’s men and women from different classes and women’s groups, and in that environment, making all of that food, you start to bond and develop that sweet spirit. That kind of pours into the bazaar.”
Thirty-four vendors will be on hand Friday. Most have participated in the five previous bazaars; some are first-time participants from the Golden Triangle or north central Mississippi.
Hunt said vendors are excited because this year’s bazaar falls on a Mississippi State University home football game weekend. MSU hosts Tennessee Martin University for Homecoming.
“We’re hoping some of the people who get into town the day before the game will take advantage of everything the bazaar will offer,” Hunt said. “We’re expecting more visitors than we’ve ever had.”
Live musical entertainment will be provided throughout the day by church members and the Weekday Ministries Pre-School Classes.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
