The Blazer Bazaar is an annual tradition for Timberline band, always happening the second weekend of November. Providing Local businesses the opportunity to show off their creations, grasping the attention of youthful minds and giving adults a chance to shop for early holiday presents.

The Blazer Bazaar took over Timberline Commons November 10th and 11th with an astounding crowd this year. A place for opportunities and a home for support, gentle smiles and hand crafted goods. Timberline High School’s very own Blazer Band turned our commons into a market for these local businesses to share their creations and take the spotlight from large manufacturing companies. 

After setting up rows and rows of booths, Timberline’s parking lot gets flooded with individuals looking for these handcrafted vendible's. The band students offer the vendor's hot coffee and pizza as a thank you to their long days work and for their support. 

The Smiling Cat is one of the many vendors we welcome. Donna Sorensen, a retired band kid herself, grows her own catnip, creates cat toys, and sews comfortable beds out of recycled materials. When Miss Sorensen was small she wanted to be a veterinarian, but when she first started showing cats she absolutely fell in love with helping pets. Donna Sorensen found out about the Bazaar. She has been coming to Timberline commons for years after hearing about it through an old friend who told Sorensen all about The Blazer Bands tradition.

Kylee Norton of Family Trees was one of the younger vendors at The Blazer Bazaar. When Norton was young she grew up watching her mother make wire trees as a hobby, but later in high school she wanted to try it herself. “It’s horrible and she won’t let me get rid of it,” says Norton at her first attempt. When Norton was working in home care she had lots of free time on her hands, so when wire trees began to snowball into a small business, she decided to bring it to The Blazer Bazaar. 

Norton’s cousin was the one who informed her of the Bazaar! “He was making wooden flags and mentioned he was doing this show, and we were looking for more shows to do. I got in contact with the organizer and she said she would love to have a wire worker, since they had never had one before.” 

Though there were many crafts at the Bazaar, there were a few food vendors.  A business ran by Jania and Bob, Bob’s Bees, offered a variety of homemade honey. Bob, after serving in the military, found a love for beekeeping in Shelton, then he met his own love Jania. They began selling whatever came from the hive; whether that be honeycombs, honey, candies, they even created Honey Butter. So many people were enthused to try the rich raw honey. Bob was kind enough to answer everyone's questions about their honey. 

Of course a meal can’t go without something to drink. Voyage Espresso was kind enough to park in front of Timberline and serve hot coffee, Italian sodas, lemonades, and so much more. The baristas of Voyage Espresso were the sweetest and made conversation as they made the most spectacular coffee. A woman owned business that thrives at events like The Blazer Bazaar. They were so kind and truly made the experience even better for the vendors and the persons there who were exploring the Bazaar.

After a delicious meal, some warm drinks, and some sticky honeycombs, you need something to wash your hands with. Kelly Spacek was the woman to go to, Lather Up With Kelly. Spacek was selling handmade soaps full of beautiful colors and the most show stopping scents. Kelly Spacek always sought out homemade soaps, when she learned how to do it on her own, she became unstoppable. “It was great because, over Covid, I could spend most of my time creating soaps!” From a creative outlet to a scented business. Spacek’s son, Caleb Spacek, introduced her to the Blazer Bazaar. After playing the saxophone all the way through college, Spacek didn’t hesitate to help her son’s band progress.

But who do we have to thank for all of this? Mr. Cal Anderson himself. In the 1980s, when Anderson was living in Spokane, his wife’s mother hosted her very own Bazaar. After he moved to Lacey, his mother-in-law suggested he start his own Bazaar.

When Anderson first started the Blazer Bazaar; it was being co-hosted with the Dance team, volunteering more people to evenly spread the workload. However, this only lasted 3-4 years before the Dance Team had gotten a new advisor. The remodeling of Timberline High School had changed the course of The Blazer Bazaar history. Leaving Anderson with only a few options, since the gym had been under construction, we made home in the Commons. A much smaller space compared to the gym but, as Anderson put it, the commons gives a “Nicer Atmosphere.” 

The Blazer Bazaar has a  much closer and nostalgic feeling now compared to the earlier years, making the craft fair seem even more special. Since the gym was open and the wrestling tournament was going on at the same time, business was thriving for the vendors and Band students had lots of work on their hands. 

The Blazer Bazaar is an annual tradition for Timberline band, always happening the second weekend of November. Providing Local businesses the opportunity to show off their creations, grasping the attention of youthful minds and giving adults a chance to shop for early holiday presents. Stop by next year and see what gems you might find! Whether it be honey, handcrafted jewelry, or sewed plushies. Don’t forget to say hello to a few band members.