Kent budget issues don’t deter annual crafts bazaar at Kent Commons

Keith Blaine took over as director of the holiday bazaar this year at Kent Commons because he didn’t want to see the event end due to city budget cuts. “The biggest thing was the opportunity to keep the tradition going,” said Blaine, of Maple Valley, a former vendor at the show.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Monday, November 29, 2010 2:08pm
  • Life
Keith Blaine

Keith Blaine

Keith Blaine took over as director of the holiday bazaar this year at Kent Commons because he didn’t want to see the event end due to city budget cuts.

“The biggest thing was the opportunity to keep the tradition going,” said Blaine, of Maple Valley, a former vendor at the show.

More than 100 vendors will display their goods at the 27th annual Kent Winter Craft Bazaar Dec. 3-4 at Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N.

The bazaar runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4.

City officials ran the event for 26 years. But layoffs in the parks department caused the city to end or cut back several programs, including what had been called the Kent Holiday Craft Market.

“I was a vendor there the last two years and we heard the rumors last year that it was the city’s last year of doing it,” Blaine said.

Blaine sold custom-made, plastic-framed clocks with children’s themes at the past two holiday bazaars at Kent Commons. He no longer markets the clocks. Now he markets the entire show.

Mark Hendrickson, cultural programs coordinator for the parks department, said a lot of vendors voiced concerns last year about the holiday bazaar going away.

“It was one of the reductions related to staff time,” Hendrickson said. “We lost the coordinator who put that on.”

Blaine stepped forward to take over running the event. Blaine, Hendrickson and other park officials have worked to make the transition as smooth as possible with the event under private management rather than the city.

“He’s gung-ho about it,” Hendrickson said about Blaine. “He’s an organized guy. I think he will do great.”

Blaine grew up in Longview around holiday bazaars that his mother always attended.

“We went to shows in Longview, Tacoma and other places,” Blaine said. “It’s all familiar to me.”

Working off a vendor list from the city, Blaine started last June to get this year’s event off the ground. Blaine said the vendor list made a huge difference so that he could contact vendors to get them signed up for this year.

“I have some big shoes to fill,” Blaine said about taking over the craft show from the city. “But I have gotten a lot of support from Mark and others. The biggest thing is to find the right mix of vendors.”

Vendors will sell pottery, wooden toys, gourmet foods, handmade soaps, wreaths, snowmen, stained glass, jewelry, quilts, birdhouses, jams and jellies, stuffed animals and many other items. Attendees also can buy food and desserts. Raffle drawings are scheduled for every hour.

Admission is $1. Children ages 12 and younger get in for free.

Blaine has added more food vendors than previous years but wants to make sure anyone who comes to the show can find an item to make their holiday shopping easier.

“I want them to be able to come in and pick up a gift for anybody on their list,” he said. “They will see the typical holiday decorations but there also will be a mix of hand-crafted gifts for sale.”

Vendors filled up the 100 spaces at Kent Commons. Several vendors share spaces.

Blaine has attended several craft shows and gone to retail stores to hand out flyers and spread the word about the Kent Winter Craft Bazaar.

As many as 2,000 people have attended previous Kent shows.

“We’re trying to keep it this year pretty much the same as the last few years with the biggest thing a new mix of vendors and more food vendors,” Blaine said.

Hendrickson said Blaine has added a few tweaks to the framework of the event, but people should expect to find many quality items.

“I think he will do very well and have another popular event,” Hendrickson said.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Life

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Elf Academy cadets in Renton earn their jingle bells | Photos

The annual Elf Academy let’s local kids get their holiday spirit on with fun games, dancing and crafts.

Courtesy of the Grand Kyiv Ballet.
Ukraine’s most prestigious dancers bring ‘The Nutcracker’ to South King County

On Sunday, Dec. 22, the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will showcase the most prestigious ballet dancers from Ukraine.

The Kent International Festival received a $15,700 grant from 4Culture, one of several Kent groups to get funds. Courtesy Photo, Kent International Festival
Kent cultural groups to receive county grants from 4Culture

Kent International Festival, Kent Downtown Partnership, Greater Kent Historical Society among organizations

t
Kent’s Winterfest kicks off holiday season with tree lighting, parade

‘A fun, fabulous time had by all’ during celebration at Town Square Plaza

t
Donations begin in Kent for annual Toys for Joy program

Firefighters also run Jerry Woods Holiday Engine program to collect toys, money

t
Entertainers wanted for Talent Quest show in Kent on Jan. 30

People of all ages and talents invited to register for event that will feature cash prizes

In early October, the Tahoma National Cemetery donated over 1,000 pounds of food for King County Veterans Program clients. According to the KCVP Facebook page, 34 food bags were made to give away to local veterans. Photo courtesy of King County Veterans Program
Veteran services throughout South King County

When it comes to local services for veterans and their families, the… Continue reading

The Kent Holiday Craft Market will run Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2 at the Kent Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Catch the Kent Holiday Craft Market Friday, Saturday Nov. 1-2

Features one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gifts from local artists and craftspeople

Photos by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror
Wild Waves 2024 Crypt Keeper Challenge contestants.
Wild Waves 24-hour coffin challenge produces 5 brave winners

The first meal of the night at the Federal Way amusement park was tarantula-covered pizza.

Team Survivor Northwest hike to Twin Lakes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Courtesy photo.
Team Survivor Northwest leads hiking adventures for women battling cancer

“It’s so wonderful connecting with all these women,” said breast cancer survivor Jennifer Dovey.

Kent Station’s annual Haunted Boo-Levard is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at the shopping center. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Station
Kent Station shopping center plans Halloween celebration Oct. 31

Trick or treating at local shops from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

t
Street of Treats Halloween event in downtown Kent set for Oct. 26

A frightfully fun family outing from 2 to 5 p.m. at 11 participating businesses