It’s kind of the “last hurrah” for the bazaar and craft season before Christmas and the frigid winter. But before the door is closed until 2014, one of the most widely respected and well known bazaars in northern Indiana remains.

The annual Wawasee Middle School Christmas Craft Bazaar, organized by the school’s PTO, is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the school on SR 13 at the intersection with CR 1000 North, south of Syracuse. It is the 24th annual bazaar and is a major fundraiser for the school.

What sets this bazaar apart is the size and scope of it. Nearly 200 vendors will be set up selling just about everything imaginable, or as Susan Gerrity put it, “everything from A to Z.”

Gerrity, of Syracuse, has been a vendor since the bazaar first began, with the exception of a couple of years when her son was attending college. She originally sold Tupperware products but then her husband, Bill, bought a scroll saw and began crafting beautiful pieces out of wood. “He can make a whole scene and he does it out of one piece of wood,” she said.

Gerrity is favorably impressed with the WMS bazaar and said what sets a bazaar apart is that not only can unique and different items be found not usually available in a larger retail store, but there is a personal touch. “It’s mostly handmade stuff and that makes it a little different,” she commented. “Somebody took the time to make it and you are looking at the person who did it.”

Jerry Ganshorn, also of Syracuse, has been a vendor off and on for several years. He recalled a similar craft show being held several years ago at the old Syracuse Junior High School. He does woodworking in his garage.

“I have always been a wood turner,” he said. “I make natural edge bowls. I was a shop teacher. It’s kind of my specialty,” noting he makes salad bowls and other types of bowls. He usually has two tables at the bazaar and brings other items, too. “It’s a huge show,” he said. “I can’t believe what people make.”

Jackie Park, Goshen, has been a vendor for about five years and brings her “traveling boutique” with her. Items include purses, scarves, jewelry, Christmas decorations, lighted canvases, gloves, tops, wraps and more. She started as a vendor and has since expanded to a store in Shipshewana.

“It is very well known, very well attended and organized,” she said of the WMS bazaar. “They use Boy Scouts to help us bring things in. It’s very classy.”

Each of the three vendors noted the craft bazaar has been fine tuned and improved during 24 years.

Admission to the bazaar is free and breakfast and lunch are provided. Parking is also available at nearby Shepherd by the Lakes Lutheran Church and Vineyard Community Church.

Visitors need to be aware there will be new vendors set up in the commons area of the school and in the hallways. Generic T-shirts to support Wawasee High School basketball teams will be available in the cafeteria, as well as a table for kids activities and crafts.

Channel Marker will provide $5 off coupons for its restaurant and The Sleepy Owl will be providing 10 percent off coupons for meals. For more information about the craft bazaar, call WMS at 574-457-8839.