Annual bazaar a holiday success

For over 43 years the biggest Christmas bazaar in the county has been drawing people from Noxon to Hot Springs, and even from across the state. This year, the event filled 56 booths, many of which included multiple vendors. Held at the Thompson Falls High School gymnasium last Saturday, the Sanders County Christmas Bazaar donates all its proceeds every year to the Sheriff's Relief Fund, which in turn works to get toys and Christmas presents to youth in the county. One of those children who once benefited from the fund was the current organizer of the bazaar, Jane McFadgen. She explained that when she received from the fund, it was more than a single present, it was a garbage bag filled with gifts like gloves, toys and more.

McFadgen has been coordinating the bazaar for four years, and took the program over from her cousin, Ginny Dyer, who started the event. Dyer was a study hall teacher at Thompson Falls and she grew the event out of her love for kids. McFadgen expressed her admiration for Dyer. "We love and adore Ginny as a role model, and she has kept in touch with all of us." Dyer still participates with events, takes part in the Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival and she sells her own crafts. She does crochet around felt blankets, baby clothes and towels.

The Sanders County Christmas Bazaar starts organizing months before the event, and this year raised more than $1,200 for the Sheriff's Relief Fund. Vendors pay a booth rental space and are asked to donate 10% of the profits from the event to the Sheriff's Relief Fund. That money is what goes into the relief fund, after facility rental and event insurance. Even though the donation is optional, "most of my vendors have no qualms about it," said McFadgen. Everything made goes into the fund.

The event went well, considering several pitfalls. The organization that was going to handle the concessions backed out less than two weeks before the event. McFadgen had to purchase the food and supplies for the concessions as well as find someone to work it. Many of the traditional vendors also stayed home due to the dangers of COVID-19.Luckily, there were many new vendors to fill the leftover spaces.

McFadgen is hoping next year will be even better, and is already booking vendors for 2022. Even with all the headaches, McFadgen loves holding the event. "I love to give back, I love the relief fund and I love what they do for children," said McFadgen. She spoke about how, as a child, the Sheriff's Relief Fund changed her views of law enforcement and showed their caring side. When McFadgen was asked about taking over the bazaar and working with the relief fund, she said, "Having people who care for people, it was just something I wanted to be a part of."