Local Economics at Work: Earthaven’s Bizarre Bazaar

by River Otter

Earthaven’s annual holiday Bazaar is one of our community’s focal points for creating economics on the village scale. Each year in December, Earthaven members, neighbors, friends and visitors gather in the Council Hall for an afternoon of food, fun, games, and holiday vending.

This is an opportunity to bring out our wares — experimental new products or eagerly awaited old favorites — for sale or barter. Folks come to replenish their favorite herbal medicines or aromatherapy sprays, or to get a new hand-made hat or knitted scarf or an item of stylish and creative upcycled clothing.

Members and neighbors offer everything from beeswax candles to jewelry, art, chocolates and baked goods. Some serve wintertime soups and ciders, and other delectable treats. Kids of all ages enjoy the Kids’ Crafts table at the center of the ring of vendors, making ornaments, popcorn and cranberry chains, and the Very Very Long Paper Chain, which this year was long enough to circle the hall four times!

We welcome visitors and new friends each year. Save the date — next year’s Bizarre Bazaar is Saturday, December 13 from noon to 4 pm.

River Otter — also known as Melissa Lemoing — has been at EH since 2007 and is a major supporter of the Bizarre Bazaar. She is a village herbalist, a massage and Reiki therapist, an avid gardener, the current organizer of the Bazaar, and the EH Office Manager and Outreach Coordinator.