Come late October and early November, dozens of home bakers pull out their rolling pins and favorite recipes to support a beloved autumn event — Pinedale Elementary School's Craft and Pie Bazaar.
Now in its 37th year, shopping at the Pinedale bazaar is an annual tradition for generations of families. In addition to the hundreds of craft booths, a big draw is the bazaar's pie sale. This year, home bakers will make at least 320 pecan, pumpkin, cherry, apple, lemon, chocolate and other pies, which start selling fast as soon as the bazaar opens.
Holly Cava became a volunteer pie baker five years ago when her daughter, Nadia, started kindergarten at Pinedale. Baking gives her a chance to pass on a cherished family tradition while teaching her daughter about the joys of helping her community.
"I bake all the time. I'm from the South, so we bake a lot down there," Cava said. "I've always baked with my mother and my grandmother, and I hope that continues with my daughter. ... It is a passion of our family's so I'm hoping that it stays with her."
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Cava will bake 10 pies for the Pinedale bazaar. She's planning pumpkin, Dutch apple and sweet potato this year.
"We have family recipes (that are) a little bit unique when it comes to flavor, and they seem to sell out pretty quick," Cava said. "Since I do 10 of them, I bake all day the day before. They're very fresh so that way if people want to freeze them they can, or you can just eat them and they're nice and fresh."
The pie sale attracts lots of shoppers who want home-baked pies for Thanksgiving.
"I think the traditional apple and pumpkin are the best sellers. ... A lot of people will buy pies and freeze them and come Thanksgiving you hear about how delicious they are," Cava said.
Nadia, now a fourth-grader, likes helping her mom in the kitchen.
"She always wants to crack the eggs," Cava said. "She helps in the kitchen and sees the reward later."
The biggest reward could be new playground equipment. Proceeds from the craft and pie bazaar go to the Pinedale PTA, which helps the school with a variety of projects. This year, their goal is to improve the playground.
"I just really love how all the families come together and the school comes together right around the holiday season," Cava said. "Pinedale families are pretty involved when it comes to fundraisers and trying to help the community."
Pinedale's Craft and Pie Bazaar on Nov. 3 is one highlight of the local season for craft fairs and bazaars. Most raise funds for schools, churches or community organizations, so shoppers can get a head start on Christmas or buy something delicious while supporting their community.
Oct. 19-20
Creative Hands 11th Annual Autumn Bazaar, 4-H Building, Central States Fairgrounds, Rapid City. Early bird shopping Friday, Oct. 19, 4 to 8 p.m. Bazaar will be Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Handmade crafts from local artisans, food, bazaar bucks, door prizes. Admission is free.
Oct. 20
Good Samaritan St. Martin Village Craft Fair, 4825 Jericho Way, Rapid City. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
12th Annual Holiday Vendor & Craft Fair, West Middle School Community Gym, 1003 Soo San Drive, Rapid City. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Handcrafted items, home products and decor, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics and more. Concessions proceeds benefit Mended Little Hearts.
The Ladies of the Black Hawk Community Church Annual Soup and Sandwich Supper, 5192 Mill Road. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Handmade crafts, quilts, baked and canned goods and more. Supper includes soup, sandwich, homemade pie or cake and beverage. Cost is $5 per person or $15 per family. Proceeds benefit local mission and service projects.
Oct. 27
Fall Bazaar and Country Kitchen, First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 629 Kansas City St., Rapid City. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
VFW Auxiliary Fall Bazaar, VFW Post #1273 Home, 420 Main St., Rapid City. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Crafts, vintage items, baked goods. Lunch and pies served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Eighth Annual South Canyon Elementary Craft Fair, 218 Nordby Lane, Rapid City. 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Handmade crafts and more.
Nov. 3
34th Annual Bazaar, Bake Sale, Antique Boutique and Turkey Supper, Atonement Lutheran Church, 602 Auburn Drive, Rapid City. Bazaar, bake sale, antique boutique. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Theme basket silent auction 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Turkey supper 4 to 7 p.m., featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cranberries, rolls, pie, lefse and beverages. $9 adults, $5 children 6-12, free for children 5 and younger. For information, call 343-3155 or AtonementRapidcity.org
37th Annual Pinedale Craft and Pie Bazaar, Pinedale Elementary School, 4901 W. Chicago St., Rapid City. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Home-baked pies, handcrafted items from dozens of vendors and more.
Nancy Ashley’s Creative Open House, 4022 Calle Baja, Rapid City. 2 to 6 p.m. Featuring original watercolors, ceramics, one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry.
Nov. 10
Westhills Village Holiday Bazaar, 255 Texas St., Rapid City, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arts, crafts, woodworking and goodies.
Whitewood Annual Craft Fair, Whitewood Community Hall (formerly Hale Hall). 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Homemade lunch available. 25 cents admission.
Fifth Annual Holiday Bazaar, Weston County Fairgrounds, 24 Fairgrounds Road, Newcastle, Wyo. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nov. 17
Zion Lutheran Church 14th Annual Craft Fair, 4550 S. U.S. Highway 16, Rapid City. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Handmade crafts and home products from more than 40 local vendors. Huge bake sale with lots of pies. Rolls and coffee served for breakfast; sloppy joes and desserts served for lunch.
The Sons of Norway Lille Norge Fest, Canyon Lake Activity Center, 200 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
East Middle School Raptorpalooza Craft Fair, 4860 Homestead St., Rapid City. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Annual Victorian Christmas, Keystone Community Center, 1101 Madill St., Keystone. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa visits at noon. Free admission.
“Christmas in Wyoming” Bazaar, First United Methodist Church, 23 N. Seneca, Newcastle, Wyoming. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Featuring New 2 You area, holiday booths, sewing booths, plants, baked goods, greeting cards, pecans and more for sale, a basket auction and chances to win prizes. Soup and pie lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nov. 29
Does Drove #33 Annual Craft Fair, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit Hospice House.
Dec. 1
Rapid City Garden Club’s 57th Annual Wreath and Centerpiece Sale, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Canyon Lake Activity Center, 2900 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City.