Whether you’re a secular humanist or a devout southern baptist, the winter holiday has always been a fascinating time. It also provides a platform for events that you certainly won’t find any other time of the year (Tuba Christmas anyone?). If you were somehow able to stumble upon one of these holiday shindigs in June, you’d question whether something had spilled out the gates of the Oregon Country Fair. Really, at what other time would anyone pay $5 to gawk at tinsel-strewn trees in the convention center?
One of the many wondrous events of the winter season is the holiday-themed bazaar, a widely interpreted event that rears its hand-crafted head just after Thanksgiving. Though well-intentioned, many people see the holiday season as a reason to cobble together makeshift bazaars that have become little more than the dumping ground for kitschy, country-styled porch clutter, hiding the occasional gem (for those brave enough to troll the piles). Fortunately, not all is lost for those gift-seekers looking for something truly special amongst the clutter.
Such is the case for a new bazaar premiering this Sunday, December 6. If you can wedge an hour or two into your Sunday schedule, make your way to inner Northeast Portland to attend the Laurelhurst Winter Artisan Bazaar, at the Laurelhurst School.
Opening at 9 a.m., the Laurelhurst Winter Artisan Bazaar is a seven-hour window of opportunity to peruse the wares of more than 40 Portland artisans –yes, real working artists. What’s more, as with any self-respecting bazaar, you’ll also have ready access to an assortment of delicious foodstuffs and beverages to accompany you. To fully complement this family-friendly extravaganza, the bazaar will also showcase live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, family portraits, and children’s art classes.
Wrapped in well-executed, super-velvety decor, the Laurelhurst Winter Artisan Bazaar features all the trappings of a memorable holiday event, but what really makes this event a find for those Portlanders willing to roll the dice for big winnings is the event’s accompanying raffle. For $1, you can purchase an opportunity to win one of a bevy of super-cool local prize packages, including (but not limited to):
- Dinner Out For a Year – 12 gift certificates to some of Portland’s best foody haunts, including Screen Door, Ken’s Artisan Pizza, Equinox, Cha Taqueria & Bar, Laurelwood, Aqui, Laurelhurst Market, Doug Fir, Petite Provence, Kesone Thai/Laos, The Great Hall, and McMenamin’s.
- Private Party for 15 at The Meadow – Meadows owners, Mark and Jennifer Bitterman, will show you and a group of friends how to use artisan salt to make every food you eat pop with flavor, texture, and better nutrition. With a glass of wine in hand, and delicious hors d’oeuvres, your party of 15 will explore the astonishing powers of artisan salt.
- Private Shopping Party at Garnish Boutique – with the experienced eye of boutique owner Erica Lurie, you and your friends will spend an evening selecting and customizing clothing from her shop on Alberta while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres. Each attendee will receive one 15% discount towards a purchase made that evening, and the package winner will receive a $100 gift certificate.
- Pamper Yourself Spa Package— three packages to be awarded, including treatments from vendors such as Fleur De Lys Spa, Green, Wax-on Spa, Smash Cut Studio, Believe Movement Pilates Studio, Jennifer Fox Massage, and Laurelhurst Chiropractic.
To view all the excellent prizes available through the raffle, download the complete prize list. From what I’ve heard, organizers have a good number of raffle tickets left, which you can purchase at the event. Even if they end up selling 5,000 tickets, your odds are going to be excellent. True, Powerball offers the opportunity for a bigger payout, but the odds are miserable compared to the Laurelhurst Winter Artisan Bazaar. What’s more, all proceeds from the bazaar go straight into the Laurelhurst School PTA fund to bolster ever-dwindling school and classroom resources.
So if you’re looking for a hidden holiday gem, venture off the beaten path this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to attend the Laurelhurst Winter Artisan Bazaar, located in the Laurelhurst School at 840 NE 41st Ave. in Portland. Who knows, you might even walk out a big winner!
(Editor’s Note: I would be a completely remiss parent if I failed to take advantage of an opportunity to promote a similar event that’s near and dear to my own family’s heart: The daVinci Arts Middle School Arts Fair, happening 12/5 from 10 am – 6 pm; 12/6 from 10 am – 4 pm. Thanks – Betsy)
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