RAF MILDENHALL, England — The Yuletide Bazaar will bring more than 100 vendors from throughout the continent to RAF Mildenhall. The event runs Friday through Sunday.
“It’s a great way to find a selection of things without traveling all over Europe,” said Marisol Kingsbury, one of the event coordinators and the wife of Senior Master Sgt. Bruce Kingsbury.
The bazaar is being held at two hangars on the south side of the base. Shoppers are to enter through Gate 6.
The event has been held for more than 30 years. It used to be open to the public, but is now open only to Department of Defense ID card holders.
“It was a fun thing for the community to get involved in, too,” Kingsbury said. “Too bad it had to change.”
Items on sale will include Bohemian crystal, Polish pottery, Welsh spoons and Portmerion English china.
The Mildenhall Enlisted and Spouses Club has been planning the event for six months, Kingsbury said.
The club charges rent to the vendors and also receives 13 percent of all proceeds. The club donates the money raised to charities, including widow support groups, Red Cross, Fisher House, Heart Link and local British groups. Last year the bazaar raised $35,000 for American charities and $8,500 for local charities.
“It provides a way for a lot of people to make money but is also a fund-raiser,” Kingsbury said.
There will be rides for the kids and squadrons selling patches, T-shirts, coins and other memorabilia.
Kingsbury said extra security has been arranged to handle the flow of traffic at Gate 6, which is on the opposite side of the flight line from most of the RAF Mildenhall community.
Volunteers are needed to help out. Persons interested are asked to phone Susan Brandt at 01842-820216.
The details ...
What:Yuletide Bazaar
When:2 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Where:RAF Mildenhall, buildings 711 and 772 (enter through Gate 6).
Sponsor:Mildenhall Enlisted and Spouses Club.
Featuring:Products from more than 100 vendors from Great Britain and Europe, kids rides, food and beverages.
