Season begins with holiday event

It may not be Thanksgiving yet, but the Christmas spirit was in full effect Nov. 18 at the Oberlin Holiday Bazaar in New Russia Township.

This is the third year the bazaar has been held, but the prior two years it was at The Hotel at Oberlin, 10 E. College St., and this year the choice was made to move to the New Russia Township Lodge, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd. in New Russia Township.

The increased space worked well for the event, as about halfway through, Janet Haar, director of the Oberlin Business Partnership, said they had already drawn more than 100 more participants than last year’s 500.

“Our advertisement said ‘It’s not just a bazaar, it’s an event,’” she said.

There was plenty in store for those seeking that extra push into the holiday mood with a cornucopia of vendors selling everything from homemade candles, Barbie dresses in the style of local sports teams, selfpublished suspense novels and memory boards.

Children were invited to do crafts, get their faces painted, receive a balloon animal and even take a picture with the big man and woman themselves: Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Elsa, Anna and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozen were also in attendance; posing for photos and singing songs to the delight of all the children present.

For the adults, there was also food, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and a dice game with a $10,000 family vacation prize.

According to Haar, the bazaar came about as the partnership was seeking a fundraiser to continue their work beautifying the city and holding events.

“We used to do a big event called Festival of Trees,” she said. “It was a big event, an evening dinner and an auction and it was just getting tired.”

The Oberlin Holiday Bazaar is the result of trying to do something fresh.

“People are engaged and happy, and this kicks off the season,” Haar said.

Rosemary Ortiz, of Oberlin, who declined to give her age, said she came to see Santa and the crafts.

“I like that they had free face painting,” she said.

According to Ortiz, the bazaar gives a chance for small businesses in the area to get their names out there.

“It puts you in the holiday spirit (as well),” she said.

KEITH REYNOLDS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as two elves, await the next batch of children for pictures on Nov. 18 at the third annual Oberlin Holiday Bazaar at the New Russia Township Lodge, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd.

KEITH REYNOLDS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Kaleigh Emery, 5, of Oberlin, chats with the stars of Disney’s Frozen on Nov. 18 at the third annual Oberlin Holiday Bazaar at the New Russia Township Lodge, 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd.