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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2012)
community november13 2012 Six Annual Events Showcase Vernonia 3 Part II: Vernonia’s Spirit of Christmas and Christmas in the Country Bazaar By Jill Hult Too early to think about Christ- mas? Not for the organizers of these two spirit-filled events! Continuing the series on events that bring our community to- gether as well as inviting tourists in to share, Vernonia’s Spirit of Christmas and Christmas in the Country Bazaar are great ways to celebrate the season. Vernonia’s Spirit of Christmas: Two years ago the Spirit of Christmas was originally started as a project of the Downtown Business As- sociation as a way to bring businesses together. Now, the 3 rd annual event is under the direction of the Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is open to any organization that would like to get involved which means there are opportunities for public awareness, fund-raising, and recruitment. It also means there is always a need for indi- viduals to volunteer and help out too. The Chamber of Commerce spearheads the event but most activi- ties are actually the efforts of separate groups, individuals, and organizations in Vernonia who dedicate themselves to creating a piece of Christmas spirit for everyone. The core number of vol- unteers organizing the event is typically around 10 with many additional volun- teers decorating the town or working during the activities of the day. The event does not currently have a collective budget with expendi- tures and revenues. If anything, the big- gest expense is time. The next would be in advertising and printing. Each orga- nization or individual takes on the re- sponsibility of their own budgeting as well as fund-raising opportunities for their activities. Organizers of each activ- ity are free to implement entry fees or suggested donations which help pay for contest awards, supplies, and other nor- mal operating costs. The festivities, which are sched- uled for the first Saturday in December, typically include a lighted truck parade, storytelling, a live nativity scene, Christ- mas tree lighting, Dickens carolers, decorating downtown, baking contest, snowball dance, hot cocoa and cider, and a fruit cake fling. More activities are be- ing considered for this year as well. I asked Nicole Larke what, if any, challenges this event encounters? Nicole stated, “Weather is a challenge because you never know what it will be doing and it is a cold time of year.” She would also like to see more activities which would expand this event into an all day festival but another challenge is in getting people to attend more activi- ties other than the parade or Christmas tree lighting. It is a good event to come out with family and friends to get into the Christmas spirit. Any more events, ideas, and volunteers are welcomed. Planning meetings started in October and will be held once a week on Fridays at Noon in Mariolino’s restaurant. Decorat- ing the downtown corridor is scheduled for the weekend immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday. This year that will be November 24, 2012. If you are interested in participating as a volun- teer, organization, or simply have a great idea to add, please contact either Nicole Larke at 503-701-5928 or DeAnna Pearl at 503-369-7370. Christmas in the Country Bazaar: For the last couple of years The Spirit of Christmas has been held on the same weekend as the Christmas in the Country Bazaar and organizers of both events would like to see that hap- pen again in the future but this year the events are held on different weekends. The Christmas in the Coun- try Bazaar will be held Saturday, De- cember 8 and Sunday, December 9, 2012. It is an exciting year for orga- nizers Corrie Smith and Angela Wolfe as they prepare the 34 th Annual event to be held in the new Vernonia Schools com- mons area! Corrie Smith took over orga- nizing the event in 2003 and quickly recruited her friend Angela to help out. They both said they work well together and have divided the tasks of organizing the event to fit each other’s strengths. When I asked them if there was a need for volunteers they both agreed the need for volunteers is in the actual set-up before the event and clean-up after the event. Tasks could include moving ta- bles, carrying items in, and general help for vendors. Like most volunteer activi- ties they recruit family members to help out as well. This event, much like the Spirit of Christmas, does not have a compli- cated budget. Most expenses come in the form of facilities rental, postage, copies, paper, advertising signage, etc. They will typically spend money out of pocket and then reimburse those expenses after the event. Corrie and Angela solicit ven- Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Lady’s Night Wed 5-12 dors from a variety of sources such as their vendor list from past events, word of mouth, festivals guide, and facebook page. They send out an invitation let- ter that details dates and location, table sizes, fees, cancellation policy, registra- tion form, and other policies including: all items must be homemade. Corrie and Angela stated it is important to them to keep it a homemade craft bazaar and do not wish to venture into the commercial sales market. Vendors come from Vernonia and other parts of the state; some as far away as Grants Pass. Space rental and table are $30.00. In the past, average participation has been around 55 ven- dors. This year there will be much more space to work with so Corrie and Angela are hoping to see more vendors. The event works with the Verno- nia Boosters and all proceeds go to fund- ing things like scholarship awards for VHS students. Boosters sell food at the event and it is also a great time for other school groups and other non-profits to do a good portion of their fundraising in order to continue doing good work for the kids and the community. Corrie and Angela said they are excited to have the new venue with a larger space and that this year will be a year to learn how many more vendors they can accommodate. It will also be a time to see what new challenges come up. A concern is that the bazaar has al- ways been held in the very visible down- town area and now will be just a bit off the main highway. They hope to adver- tise enough with flyers and signage to make sure everyone knows the event is still here. Corrie said, “Most of the chal- lenges we are thinking we might face are actually good problems to have.” They Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Lynn Berry Mark Brown Dr. Kenneth Cox Jill Hult Dr. Carol McIntyre Jennifer Moloney Peter Nelson Diana Peach DeAnna Pearl Gayle Rich-Boxman Sarah Rossi Christopher Sedlmeyer Michal Smith Sonia Spackman Photography Scott Laird Peter Nelson Gayle Rich-Boxman Larry Snethen Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscriptions (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 www.VernoniasVoice.com also added it would be nice to see an ele- ment of entertainment return with much more space and the ability to utilize the stage. If you would like to know how to become a vendor or to find out about volunteer opportunities with the Christ- mas in the Country Bazaar please email vernoniabazaar@aol.com. Alumni Volleyball Friday, November 16th, 7pm Come watch VHS Alumni take on the 2012 Varsity Volleyball team at the VHS gym. Donations accepted. All proceeds benefit the Zack Rumboltz Memorial Scholarship Fund. Cedar Side Inn “STILL BIKER FRIENDLY” EVENTS • Specialty hamburgers • Draft beer & mixed drinks • Pool tables & satelite TV • Special live music events • Free Wi-fi Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia Nov. 17 Dixie Wrecked Nov. 30-Dec 1 Play it Again Karaoke Dec. 15 Texas Hold ‘Em Now Beer & Kegs to go Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999 Taco Tuesday from opening until 9pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 Prime Rib every Saturday New Year’s Eve Casino Night Blackjack & dice tables start at 7pm Buy $5 worth of food script & get $2000 in chips Complimentary black eyed peas after midnight for luck. Come back New Years Day at 7pm with your winnings for the prize auction. iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841
