Christmas Fest is next week

Christmas Fest, sponsored jointly by the Odessa Junior Livestock 4-H Club and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, will be held next Wednesday, December 5, in the Odessa Community Center. This Odessa tradition has become a premier event for area vendors and crafters, with both locals and out-of-towners sharing the space for a day-long kickoff to the holiday season.

Faye King, representing the Jr. Livestock 4-H Club, has been busy contacting vendors, assigning tables and arranging for publicity. Kaci King has created an exciting lineup of performers for the stage, so music of the season will be played live throughout the day. Peggy DeWulf’s job was to go shopping at all of the retail businesses in town for items to be included in the raffle prizes.

Visitors to the event should be sure to fill out door-prize entry tickets (need not be present to win, so include a phone number). The raffle entry form included in this week’s copy of The Record provides a chance to win a collection of items purchased at local Odessa businesses. By visiting five of the Odessa businesses listed on the form and getting the signature or stamp of the owner or employee, visitors to Christmas Fest will have a chance to win prizes totalling approximately $200 in value.

As usual, Santa will be making a visit to the Odessa Community Center later in the day and will remain for “pictures with Santa” in the public library (first door on the left as you enter the community center). The Parent-Teacher Organization is sponsoring the event, and parents can buy pictures for a nominal fee.

Local handcrafters who will have tables at the community center include the following:

• Miranda Zigan has hair bows and hair bow organizers

• Kathie Donahue and Erin MacGregor have quilt, craft patterns and gifts.

• Becky Walter is known for her rugs and blankets and baked goods.

• Louella Smith always has great cookies and baked goods

• Audrey Beck is known far and wide for the clothes she makes for 21-inch dolls, such as the American Girl and MyTwinn dolls, and always surprises us with more.

• Patty Watters is a talented crafter of Christmas ornaments and decorations.

• Grannie BarBar will have her sweet treats to tempt and satisfy

• Jerry Walter hand-ties fishing flys and puts them in ornaments and frames for gift giving

• Mike and Linda Kuest show such creativity in their metal art. Always a favorite!

• The ladies of the Hospital Auxiliary make pies to sell.

Local direct marketers include:

• Vicki Iverson with her fashionable Miche bags

• Lyndsay Reyes with “31 Gifts”

• Colleen Lobe with products from At Home America and Willow House

• The Odessa PTO will be selling Titan apparel this year

• The FFA poinsettia sale is back

• The Red Hat Society members have treasures for sale

• Kathy Taylor will sell and sign her book “Rocky’s Road Home.” She’ll also sell pet presents and goodies to benefit Spokanimal.

• The Odessa EMT/ambulance crew is raffling off items

• Angie Finkbeiner has Cancer Awareness luminaries

• And the Tree of Sharing is at Christmas Fest, so that the generous people of Odessa can share the spirit of giving with others.

Many vendors who have been to Christmas Fest for several years in a row have returned to their favorite locations inside the community center. But at least one business, Crab Creek Coffee Haus, has decided to move from its spot next to the sound booth to the opposite side of the room where proprietor Wendy Meise will set up a “coffee and juice bar” at the once and future Biergarten bar.

Hamburgers and soft drinks will be served from the kitchen, and slices of pie will be offered by the Hospital Auxiliary.

The Cub Scouts will again be selling Christmas trees but the location has changed from last year. The trees will be set up near the outdoor stage on the Festplatz.

The Odessa Quilt Club will be selling tickets for their 2013 Spring Fling quilt raffle.