A Southern Christmas Bazaar returns for its 12th annual event

Published 4:42 pm Monday, November 27, 2023

By Barton Perkins

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By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Craftsmen, artisans and merchants from across Alabama and the Southeastern United States gathered at the Pelham Civic Complex in Pelham, on Saturday, November 18 for the 12th annual Southern Christmas Bazaar.

“I say this every year, but by far the biggest deal for me is when we’re about to open the doors to the event,” the event’s organizer Debbie Parrott said. “The vendors are set up with all of their wares, the shoppers are eager to come in to start their Christmas shopping and we, the Rotarians, are excited because we are about to start a fundraiser that will benefit all of Shelby County.”

The bazaar is run by The Rotary Club of Alabaster-Pelham and has been used to both promote local artisans and to help raise money for various groups such as the Pelham Public Library, the Community of Hope, Backpack Buddies, Manna Ministries and the King’s Ranch Equestrian Program. The Rotary Club estimates that it has managed to raise more than $150,000 for these different groups from the Southern Christmas Bazaar alone.

Starting at 9 a.m. and running until 4 p.m., families had the opportunity to view the work of more than 37 artisans from all over the south. 

“You’d just be amazed at all the different artisans that came in and how talented they are and all the different unusual, unique things that you can buy at our bazaar that you won’t see anywhere else,” Parrott said. “Christmas decorations, T-shirts, clothing, jewelry, anything you could possibly want for yourself or your friends and family.”

Children attending the event also had the chance to have photos taken with Santa Claus from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“It was a great time for parents and grandparents to bring their children in,” Parrott said. “You could take as many pictures as you’d like with Santa.”

Tickets for the event cost $8 for adults and $3 for children, though a $1 discount was offered to anyone who brought a canned good item to donate to Oak Mountain Ministries.

Parrott estimates that the event raised roughly $20,000, and at this time the Alabaster-Pelham Rotary Club has yet to decide how that money will be allocated and donated to different non-profits in Shelby County. 

Overall, the event was considered a massive success.

“We had people coming in and out steadily all day,” Parrott said.

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