Whidbey to host plethora of holiday markets, bazaars

Local artisans are sharing in the holiday spirit at markets across the island in the coming weeks.

By Karina Andrew • November 23, 2021 1:30 am
Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Nora Boehm folds and ties T-shirts in a style inspired by the Japanese Shibori style of dyeing clothes. It is one of several ways in which Boehm upcycles clothing. One purpose of her art is to promote a sustainable lifestyle and cut off cycles of consumerism that rely on unethical production methods by encouraging people to upcycle and reuse clothing instead of throwing it away.
Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Nora Boehm folds and ties T-shirts in a style inspired by the Japanese Shibori style of dyeing clothes. It is one of several ways in which Boehm upcycles clothing. One purpose of her art is to promote a sustainable lifestyle and cut off cycles of consumerism that rely on unethical production methods by encouraging people to upcycle and reuse clothing instead of throwing it away.

Local artisans are sharing in the holiday spirit at markets and bazaars across the island in the coming weeks.

Getting Christmas shopping done early isn’t the only positive outcome of these events; the markets also benefit local farmers, craftspeople and charitable organizations.

Several markets will take place on “Small Business Saturday,” among them the Mutiny Bay Holiday Market. At the farm stand’s second annual holiday market, food from local farms, locally crafted gifts and stocking stuffers and Christmas trees will all be for sale. Complimentary coffee, hot cocoa and s’mores benefiting Whidbey Island Nourishes will also be available.

The Mutiny Bay Holiday Market will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Mutiny Bay Blues Farm Stand at 5486 Cameron Rd. in Freeland.

Two iconic and beloved Whidbey locations will both host dual-weekend events. The Island County Fairgrounds’ “Country Christmas” market begins Friday, Nov. 26. The event features handcrafted gifts, collectibles and crafts from local vendors, and part of the proceeds will be earmarked for youth scholarships.

The Country Christmas market at the fairgrounds will run from noon to 7 p.m. Nov 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28, noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5.

The same two weekends, the Holiday Market returns to Greenbank Farm. Vendors and festive holiday cheer will fill Barn A from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27 and Dec. 4. Tickets are required for entry and can be acquired for free at brownpapertickets.com/event/5235925.

On the North End, the Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Whidbey Island will put on the All Hands Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Allgire Building in Oak Harbor. The bazaar will benefit local military-affiliated businesses.

“The military plays such a big role in the community as well as our local artists, and The Allgire Project’s murals promote community and culture,” said Officers’ Spouses’ Club events chairperson Britni Miltner. “We feel that this event is a beautiful combination of community supporting community.”

The club partnered with Nora Mae Boehm, who will be selling her paintings and textile art at the bazaar alongside other local artists. Boehm, whose late father served in the Navy in Oak Harbor, describes art as her “first language.”

“I just really am loving that now the military is coming into my life and I can serve with them in this way, because I know that he would be super stoked,” she said. “I’m really grateful that I get to have this event with them.”

The same weekend, the Bayview Farmers Market will host a holiday market featuring local art and jewelry, farm fresh and craft food and drinks and other products.

Farmers market manager Sharon Warwick wrote that the event will be “our biggest holiday market yet!”

The Bayview Holiday Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 off the intersection of Highway 525 and Bayview Road, near the Bayview Community Hall.

In the interest of COVID-19 safety, Freeland church St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods is hosting an online market that is currently ongoing and will last through Dec. 9. Proceeds from the sale will go toward Good Cheer Food Bank and Island County Veterans Services.

Their foodstuffs and handcrafted goods can be purchased at staugustinesholidaymarket.org. Items purchased online can be picked up at the church, located at 5217 S. Honeymoon Bay Road in Freeland.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Nora Boehm sprays down T-shirts with water and bleach to create an effect inspired by the Japanese Shibori style of dyeing clothes. It is one of several ways in which Boehm upcycles clothing. One purpose of her art is to promote a sustainable lifestyle and cut off cycles of consumerism that rely on unethical production methods by encouraging people to upcycle and reuse clothing instead of throwing it away.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Nora Boehm sprays down T-shirts with water and bleach to create an effect inspired by the Japanese Shibori style of dyeing clothes. It is one of several ways in which Boehm upcycles clothing. One purpose of her art is to promote a sustainable lifestyle and cut off cycles of consumerism that rely on unethical production methods by encouraging people to upcycle and reuse clothing instead of throwing it away.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Nora Boehm adds the finishing touches to a commissioned textile painting to be sewn onto the back of a jacket. Boehm will be selling some of her art work at the All Hands Holiday Bazaar, put on by the Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Whidbey Island on Dec. 4 in Oak Harbor.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Nora Boehm adds the finishing touches to a commissioned textile painting to be sewn onto the back of a jacket. Boehm will be selling some of her art work at the All Hands Holiday Bazaar, put on by the Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Whidbey Island on Dec. 4 in Oak Harbor.

Photo provided Painting by Nora Boehm

Photo provided Painting by Nora Boehm