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
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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