Holiday Bazaar
Mark your calendars! It’s time to kick-off the holiday season at the Seminole Nation Museum’s forty-ninth annual Holiday Bazaar! The event is scheduled for Friday, November 17th, 2023. Baked goods, holiday foods, craft items, cheese apples, Christmas decorations, holiday grab bags, and an assortment of other goodies will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, located at 524 South Wewoka Avenue in Wewoka.
The History
Begun in 1975, the annual Holiday Bazaar is the primary fundraiser for the Seminole Nation Museum. The event is a community-supported project that depends on the generosity and involvement of area citizens in donating baked goods, handcrafts, grab bags, and white elephant items. Proceeds from the event are used to support the Museum’s programs and services and to help defray extensive operating costs.
A perennial favorite of the event is the cheese apples. One of the most sought-after confections sold at the event, the cheese apple has been a part of the Wewoka community since Helen Ellwanger began making them in the 1940s.
Fun for All
The Annual Holiday Bazaar is a fun event for all ages to attend, and is a popular place for guests to fill their holiday tables with delicious baked goods, as well as get a kick-start on their Christmas shopping. A favorite feature of the Holiday Bazaar is the Silent Auction, where a variety of handcrafted artworks, seasonal decorations, gift baskets, jewelry etc., will be up for bidding. A White Elephant Sale held in the Art Gallery of the museum will showcase a collection of gently used housewares, seasonal items, crafts, books, magazines, and toys sold to benefit the museum. Tables are filled to capacity with these hidden treasures that may all be bought at a bargain price, presenting a wonderful opportunity to check some items off of your seasonal shopping list!
Come Join Us!
A new addition to the Bazaar this year will be a Holiday Market featuring handmade goods by local craftsmen. An area will be set up in the museum’s recently renovated north wing so that shoppers can browse a wide selection of items to purchase for themselves or as unique gifts for the holiday season. The museum is encouraging vendors who were rained-out of the Wewoka Sorghum Festival to participate in the Market and showcase their wares. There is no cost to participate, but vendors must supply their own 6-foot tables and chairs. To apply for a space at the Holiday Market, prospective vendors should contact the museum at (405) 257-5580 or [email protected]. Help us make this a new tradition for the Bazaar!
Speaking of traditions, it wouldn’t be the Holiday Bazaar without our signature cheese apples. The cheese apples have been a fixture of the Bazaar since Lucy Cook brought a dozen of the garlic-rich cheese balls to the very first fundraiser in 1975. This year the crew will be gathering at the home of Kristi and Steve Boots to make over 500 of the savory treats. As always, we are grateful to the generous patrons who continue to donate money each year to buy ingredients for these popular additions to the holiday table!
Everyone is encouraged to join us for a delicious lunch at the museum, which will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, courtesy of Lisa Tucker and Jennifer Kincade. On the menu are BBQ pulled pork sandwiches on toasted sourdough buns, coleslaw, baked beans, a drink, and banana nut brownies for dessert. The public may dine in or carry out. The cost is $10 and all proceeds benefit the museum.
For Donations:
All donations of baked goods, craft items, auction items, and white elephants are generously accepted. Donations of items may be made up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 16th at the museum. As the museum is a 501(c)(3) public charity, and all cash and non-cash donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Anyone wanting to donate his or her time on the day of the Bazaar is also welcome. All donated items should be brought to the museum by Thursday, November 16th, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Baked goods may be accepted as late as 8:00 a.m. on the day of the event, but the day prior is encouraged. There is still plenty of time to decide what you can “Make, bake, and buy” on the 17th. If you have any questions, please contact the museum at (405) 257-5580. See you at the Bazaar!
If you would like to generously donate to this year’s Holiday Bazaar, please scan the QR code below or click here.
