An island tradition for nearly 30 years, Vashon’s once-a-year-for-a-day craft bazaar is being sponsored this year for the first time by Vashon’s PTSA.

The Holly Daze Bazaar, set for Saturday, Nov. 18, at McMurray Middle School is billed as a festive, all-island arts and crafts fair for holiday shoppers and is currently seeking vendors. PTSA President Jenny Wegley said the event normally showcases the work of more than 50 artisans. Offerings have included everything from jewelry, handmade soaps and yarn by the skein, to catnip toys and dog treats, antiques, alpaca scarves, hand-carved wood items and garden decorations.

And while vendors pay a fee to be part of the bazaar — which goes to the sponsoring organization — they keep all proceeds generated from sales. It’s a model that goes back to the creation of the event.

The bazaar was established by the Vashon Soroptomists and the late Val Seath as a community builder and to give the island’s craftspeople an opportunity to sell their handicrafts and earn holiday cash, Wegley said.

The Soroptomists sponsored the event for 19 years before sponsorship was taken over by the Vashon Guild of Children’s Hospital. Sponsorship then was taken over by St. John Vianney Catholic Church Women’s Group in 2010. This is the first year the PTSA has sponsored the event.

“The PTSA was asked by St. John Vianney church because they wanted to make sure it would continue … and they knew PTSA was working to improve its community engagement,” Wegley said. “We are trying to skip a big (fundraising) auction for a couple of years and do community events instead.”

The PTSA will sell beverages, food for lunch and sweet and savory bakery items. Proceeds will benefit the organization, which supports the Vashon Island School District through community outreach, classroom enhancements, teacher appreciation, student forums, parent education, recreational activities and more. Wegley said the association’s focus this year is on improving family and community engagement.

“We welcome you to join us in the tradition of community in a holiday setting,” she said.

Bazaar vendors needed

The 2017 Holly Daze Bazaar will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at McMurray Middle School.

Vendors interested in selling their handiwork can purchase one, two or three tables for $45, $90 and $135 respectively. For more information and to sign up as a vendor, email jennywegley@gmail.com.