Underwriting support from:
Poster for Eastown's Bizarre Bazaar /Courtesy of the Eastown Community Association
Ten thousand guests are expected to fill the streets of Eastown this Saturday for the annual Bizarre Bazaar. Hosted by the Eastown Community Association and the Eastown Business Association, Bizarre Bazaar is a handmade, artisan fair that celebrates art, music and the unique Eastown culture.
The event is to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 2016. Vendor booths will line the brick road of Wealthy Street from Lake Drive to Giddings Avenue and pour onto Ethel Avenue.
Bizarre Bazaar is a staple in the Eastown Community; however, this year’s event will look different. Bizarre Bazaar has grown tremendously compared to last year so you can expect to see a wider variety of vendors. From handmade longboards by Rivertown Woodcraft, to Michigan-made maple syrup by Thornburg and Company, to Michigan themed apparel by The Oddest, Bizarre Bazaar will have something for everyone. One hundred and twenty vendors are prepared to showcase their talents and crafts this weekend, which is about 40 more than 2015. Several food vendors will also be present including local Eastown businesses, Peaches Cafe, Cakabakery, The Pita House and The Local Epicurean.
For the first time, there will be a raffle to win gift baskets containing items donated by vendors. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket all day for only $1 and they do not have to be present to win. This first year also debuts live screen printing. Eastown resident, Joe Parsaca with Painting by Tubes, will live screen print the official 2016 Bizarre Bazaar T-shirt and poster. Attendees can place an order and shop around while their item is designed.
Live music will play throughout the day starting at 11 a.m. The stage is located in the hub parking lot near Wealthy Street. Local rock’n’roll blues and swing band, Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, feature as headliners and will perform from 4 to 5 p.m.
Longtime resident and volunteer Pamela Goderski noted, “Eastown events are unique in a way that not only does it draw the Eastown community members to be involved and take pride in where they live, it is also an opportunity to expose other neighborhoods of the city to Eastown. It allows us to showcase all of the wonderful things that are unique to Eastown.”
Bizarre Bazaar is a community endeavor and is made successful with help from sponsors. This year’s main sponsor, Orion Construction, has donated generously to help the tradition continue and will have a booth near the hub lot. Volunteers are also vital to help make this event possible. Volunteers come from all over the community including the Eastown Business Association and local colleges.
Hosted by the Eastown Community Association and the Eastown Business Association, Bizarre Bazaar is a handmade, artisan fair that celebrates art, music and the unique Eastown culture.
The event is to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 2016. Vendor booths will line the brick road of Wealthy Street from Lake Drive to Giddings Avenue and pour onto Ethel Avenue.
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