It's a Christmas bazaar world
By Chris Simon

Residents at the Innisfil Beach Gardens retirement home decorated gingerbread men during the facility's holiday bazaar and craft sale Saturday.

Christmas shopping season is officially underway.

On Saturday, Christmas bazaars were held at two locations in Innisfil. Coupled with various other bazaars, holiday-themed craft and bake sales and the annual Light Up Night and Innisfil Studio Tour, the last few weeks have seen thousands of Christmas supplies and presents purchased throughout the town.

The third annual Innisfil Christmas Bazaar was held at the Churchill Community Centre on Saturday, featuring crafts, candles, food, knitting, poinsettias, books and jewelry among other items.

Hundreds of people attended the event, which gives a unique small town appeal when compared to larger retail stores, said organizer Lorie Wild.

"The people are very warm and it's such a positive atmosphere," she said, holiday music trumpeting through the community centre. "Variety and creativity is something different. It gets you into the Christmas spirit; it's contagious. We didn't know whether it was going to storm last night ... but the snow is on the ground and people have that Christmas feeling."

C and T Creations owner Tina France stands with several of her products, including bottles baking and cooking ingredients and hand-knit dolls, during the third annual Innisfil Christmas Bazaar at the Churchill Community Centre Saturday. Several holiday-themed events have taken place lately.

Others say the bazaar draws many local residents.

"We've been quite busy," said C and T Creations owner Tina France, her booth covered with jarred baked goods and soups, Christmas cards and handknit dolls.

Innisfil Beach Gardens hosted a bazaar and craft sale Saturday.

Wild said the Innisfil Christmas Bazaar becomes more popular each year.

It's great to have that (community) support," she said.

"As you have an annual thing, it's word of mouth; people look forward to this, they get to meet with their coworkers and friends."