A busy season of weekly craft fairs and bazaars kicked off this weekend with the second annual Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show put on by the Kenai Senior Center. For the next several weeks, stretching well into December, at least one craft or vendor fair will be held every weekend.

On Saturday, under strings of holiday lights, around a dozen vendors at the Kenai Senior Center were selling crafts, photography, jewelry, dolls, fabrics, plants and more. Angela Verg-in was selling crafts — “practical things” — which she continued working on even as she spoke to visitors.

She said she sells at several different venues and opportunities, but was excited to participate at the Kenai Senior Center to see family and afford the seniors a unique opportunity to purchase local work as the holiday season approaches.

“I just encourage everybody to shop locally,” Verg-in said. “To each of the vendors, it makes a big difference to them in the long run. It keeps it here, keeps it local.”

Upcoming fairs

The SoHi Craft Fair will be open with a “sneak peek” on Friday, Nov. 10 then run Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Soldotna Senior Center will host a Holiday Craft and Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Star of the North Lutheran Church will host an annual bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Sterling Senior Center will host its annual Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church will host a Christmas Fair, Garage Sale and Bake Sale next weekend, Nov. 16-18. On Thursday, the fair will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. then 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The Tugi II Unit of Waheed Court 81 of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America will host their 4th Annual Charity Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair at the Sterling Senior Center, Friday and Saturday Nov. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex will host its 32nd Annual Holiday Bazaar, running Nov. 17-19. The bazaar will be open Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Not Your Grandma’s Christmas Bizarre will be hosted by Big Black Cauldron in collaboration with The Hause at the Kenai Visitor Center on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Kenai Arts and Crafts Fair, put on by the Kenai Art Center, will be held at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 24 and 25. The fair will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The Fourth Annual Holiday Cheer Christmas Bazaar, put on by the Soldotna Wednesday Market, will open in Kenai’s Old Carrs Mall on Nov. 24 and run Friday and Saturday for four weekends, closing Dec. 16. On Fridays, the bazaar will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays it will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center will host the Happy Holly Jolly Bazaar on Dec. 2 and 3, running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Christmas Comes to Nikiski, the annual event put on by North Peninsula Recreation Service Area at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center, will again feature a craft fair on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This story was edited on Tuesday, Nov. 7 to correct the dates for events set for this weekend, Nov. 9-12. A craft fair at the Soldotna Senior Center was also added for Nov. 11.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Vendors sell wares to attendees of the Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)