Lonepine bazaar begins early holiday shopping
<p><strong>Crystal Graham and Taylor Salmi look at the scented soaps being sold at the bazaar in the Lonepine Community Hall.</strong></p>
LONEPINE – Residents from Lonepine and the surrounding area started their holiday shopping early, Saturday, during the annual Christmas Bazaar at the Lonepine Community Hall.
A number of vendors set up booths to sell a variety of things ranging from Christmas decorations to homemade novelties to scarves and hats; one vendor was even selling self defense aids, like mace, whistles and tazers.
Shoppers also had the potential to win door prizes over the course of the seven hour event. All the vendors donated one of their items into a pot of door prizes, which were drawn every half hour.
People came from all over the area. Michelle McGuigan, one of the event’s coordinators, recalled people usually came from as far away as Plains and Polson for the bazaar; however, people coming from so far away were not in the majority and most people did not travel such distances.
“Most people are from the Lonepine Hot Springs area,” she said.
McGuigan noted it was more of a social function than anything else. She said the same people tended to come each year and liked to visit as well as hang out while doing their shopping. With a good lunch, consisting of soup and pastries, the whole event made for a good social atmosphere.
The vendors all rented tables within the space, but could keep the proceeds of whatever they sold. The cost of the table rental, as well as the cost paid for lunch, went to the hall’s operating funds and helping the kitchen run.
The event went from 9 am to 4 pm. According to McGuigan, this year saw the most vendors yet. She said there were approximately 26 vendors set up around the room and onto the stage.