In Coral Bay’s version of Small Business Saturday, a nationwide promotion aimed at getting people to shop at locally owned stores, the Coral Bay Bizarre Bazaar runs from 11 to 5 p.m. Saturday in front of Pickles in Paradise Restaurant on Route 107 in Coral Bay.
Proceeds benefit the Coral Bay Community Council.
“This is really about buying local,” committee co-chairman Nancy Stromp said. She said it was a way for residents to send their loved ones up north a piece of the island as well as a piece of “our way of life.”
Stromp expects more 62 vendors for the town’s version of. Stromp said Monday it’s too late for vendors to sign up because the 62 is all the event can handle.
The vendors include more than 25 local artists.
“The artists have such love and passion for what they do,” Stromp said.
The Community Council will have tables selling plants, baked goods, household and marine yard sale items as well as food and drink.
The event will feature a Local Brew Competition in conjunction with the V.I. Brew Club. Beer lovers will have the opportunity to taste seven homemade selections and vote on the winner. Stromp said brewers from all three islands as well as St. John Brewers, which brews commercial beer at Mongoose Junction, will also be participating in the event.
As a help to shoppers, Keep Me Posted mail service will be on hand to provide gift-wrapping and shipping to the states in flat rate U.S. Postal Service boxes, so think shop and ship all in one day.
Mixology Cards will be for sale. This card contains eight signature drinks provided by Coral Bay restaurants all for $25.
Additionally, a silent auction featuring villa rentals and island hopping charters will be available the day of the event. Other prizes can be won by purchasing raffle tickets available now at the Community Council office or at Keep Me Posted. People do not need to be present at the Bizarre Bazaar to win.
Santa will arrive on a donkey at noon. There will also be donkey and pony rides and other children’s activities. Music begins at noon with an open-microphone format.
For St. Thomas shoppers, the car barge or ferry will get you to Cruz Bay. From Cruz Bay, Mr. Wonderful Taxi will provide discounted rides from the ferry dock to the Coral Bay event for $6 each way.
The money raised at the event goes to fund projects to protect and enhance the environment and community in Coral Bay.
Recent projects include installation of storm water structures to slow down and divert sediment from entering Coral Bay, restoration of a coastal wetland, and coordination with the Labor Department to offer the Coral Bay Job Club, a summer program which helps local teens explore careers and develop necessary job skills. The Coral Bay scenic overlook was recently re-graveled with donations and volunteer help.
Community Council funding is a mixture of dues, donations, and various grants which support these projects and more. Volunteers also provide a lot of assistance too.
