PLATTE COUNTY - Platte County holiday events each year feature the always popular festive bazaars with the many vendors who sell everything from homemade jams and jellies to musical instruments made out of gourds.

Whenever you are searching for just the perfect unique item for a Christmas present, the Platte County bazaars most likely had it.

The Wheatland Town and Country Garden Club who held their bazaar last year in the old junior high due to the 4-H building renovation was thrilled to be back at the fairgrounds this year.

With vendors all packed into the venue there was still enough room to mill around and browse without having been rushed. There were over 45 vendors this year and the big selling item that brought in money for scholarships was their annual pie sale.

This event has gone on for over two decades and it always draws a lot of vendors and a lot of people. In addition to the pies being sold, Chugwater Chili was on hand to have lunch available for hungry shoppers.

Up in Guernsey, the Holiday Bazaar was held at Guernsey-Sunrise High School and the west gym and commons area was packed with both vendors and people. This was their 22nd year, but the first for organizer Lori Ibarra.

The west gym was transformed into a hub of activity with 50 vendors and the estimated number of people that came through the doors was around 650 people.

“It was a great success, great vendors-couldn’t do it without them,” said Ibarra. And a big shoutout to the G-S FBLA, I got numerous compliments from the vendors that they were so polite and helpful. That’s a testament to Mindy’s leadership. It was also good to see so many people coming through because that makes the vendors want to come back.”

The Guernsey bazaar is a fundraiser for community ed and since the FBLA kids help with the bazaar, half of the profits go to their organization.

The third big bazaar in Platte County was held at the community center in Chugwater. This year was their very first attempt at bringing in vendors and holding a bazaar.

“This all came about from our mayor, Carol Ash who really wants to do community events,” Linda Webster, community events coordinator said. “We came up with the holiday bazaar as a way to bring our community together. We think we are going to a second annual next year because it’s been so successful.”

There were a few hundred people that came through the doors at Chugwater and the vendors really filled up the community center with creative gifts and ideas. The organizers also had a sloppy joe lunch and featured a hot cocoa bar and chocolate chip cookies for those who wanted to sip and shop.

They also provided a complimentary gift-wrapping station for people who found just that perfect gift and needed the perfect wrap.