The holiday season kicks off in Champaign County with the return of the sixth annual Holiday Bazaar, happening Saturday, November 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. This year’s event spans both the 4-H Building and the Michaels Building, bringing together a vibrant mix of shopping, entertainment, food, and community spirit.
A Marketplace of Makers
The bazaar features an impressive 105 vendors, offering one of the region’s largest selections of handcrafted goods and holiday items. Attendees can browse:
- Artisan crafts
- Metal and woodwork
- Handcrafted ornaments
- Jewelry
- Crochet and sewing creations
- Pet accessories
- Clay goods
- Homemade baked treats, candies, and buckeyes
- A wide variety of handmade gifts and décor
A number of direct sales vendors will also be on-site, including Tupperware, Color Street Nails, a travel agent, and several others.
Shoppers looking for team-themed gifts will enjoy a special booth offering bandanas, cornhole bags, and fleece headbands featuring local high school, college, and professional sports logos.
Food, Flavor & Festive Fun
Food trucks will be parked and ready all day, including but not limited to:
- Tom’s Traveling Coffee
- Hooze Sizzling Tortillas
- Between the Bunz
- Bourbon Chicken
Whether you’re craving a warm drink, a hearty lunch, or a quick snack between shopping sprees, there will be plenty to choose from.
Community-Focused Fundraisers
Two charitable raffles will take place during the bazaar.
A special raffle will honor Tracey Davisson, a cherished community member and cancer warrior who passed away earlier this year. Her business, Unique Baskets, will also be part of the event—now lovingly run by her daughter-in-law, Mikayla Covertt. Raffle winners will receive items donated by participating vendors.
The second fundraiser is a 50/50 raffle benefiting Barely Used Pets, the Urbana-based animal shelter dedicated to rescuing and rehoming pets in need.
Live Performances & Santa’s Grand Entrance
The holiday cheer continues onstage:
10:30–11:30 a.m. – Living Hope Church performs
Followed by – The Grace Baptist Children’s Choir
These performances set the stage for the highlight of the afternoon: Santa’s arrival at noon. He will be greeting children and families inside the 4-H Building until 2 p.m.
For event details or questions, contact Angelika Paxman at [email protected].
