Holiday craft fairs bring seasonal cheer, locally made gift options

By Jonas Oyoumick and Jake Dye

Peninsula Clarion

Soldotna Parks and Recreation hosted their 33rd Annual Holiday Bazaar over the weekend at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. The event was one of the first in a packed schedule of craft fairs and seasonal marketplaces slated for the coming weeks.

The bazaar had a variety of vendors displaying their wares, including hot sauces, quilts, furs, soaps and more. On Friday afternoon, the atmosphere felt festive and cheerful with plenty of holiday spirit. People could be seen milling about, making purchases and talking to vendors to learn more about their products.

Terry Holmes, founder and CEO of Bear Spray Hot Sauce, said what he liked most about the bazaar was “getting to see a lot of people.”

“That’s the best part for me, seeing people enjoy your product,” he said.

Holiday craft fairs also provide opportunities to find locally made gifts.

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“Lots of people like to give Alaskan gifts for the holidays, especially to people in the Lower 48,” Henry Dera, co-owner and founder of Crooked Creek Birch LLC, said.

The small business specializes in items such as soap, tea and syrup, all made from birch sap.

“Our product is uniquely Alaskan, and I think that’s something that helps people get into the holiday spirit.”

Craft Fairs and Holiday Bazaars

The Kenai Art Center’s Winter Arts & Crafts Fair will be held at Kenai Central High School on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Fifth Annual Holiday Cheer Christmas Bazaar, put on by the Soldotna Wednesday Market in the Old Carrs Mall in Kenai, will run for four weekends, Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 6 and 7, Dec. 13 and 14 and Dec. 20 and 21. Fridays are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Chapman Holiday Bazaar will be held at Chapman School in Anchor Point on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christmas Comes to Nikiski, hosted by North Peninsula Recreation Service Area, will feature a craft fair on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce will host its Happy Holly Jolly Bazaar on Dec. 7 and 8, running Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

The Homer Council of the Arts will host the 2024 Nutcracker Faire at Homer High School on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

The Kenai Potters Guild will host a pottery sale at the Kenai Art Center on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Ninilchik Holiday Bazaar will light up the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Procrastinators Fair will be held at Homer’s Christian Community Church from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 20 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 21.

This story was edited on Wednesday, Nov. 27, to add the location of the Fifth Annual Holiday Cheer Christmas Bazaar, which will be at the Old Carrs Mall.

Jonas Oyoumick is interning with the Peninsula Clarion through the Kenaitze Indian Tribe Daggeyi internship program.

Shoppers browse wares at the 33rd Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion Henry Dera, of Crooked Creek Birch, chats with shoppers at the 33rd Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Friday.