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Known as a chance for shoppers, U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s Spring Bazaar takes place today to Sunday at the Special Events Center on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.
“A chance for people who are about to leave to get their last European treasures to take back home,” said Gudrun Schuler-Heilman, the garrison’s Family Morale Welfare Recreation financial management chief, who has been organizing bazaars for more than 15 years. “It’s also a chance for those who just got here to see what is
available.”
About 100 international vendors will be at this year’s Spring Bazaar.
“They will be selling a variety of European goods – typically those items that Europe-stationed servicemembers like to take back home, such as jewelry, porcelain, rugs, antiques, heavy Belgium furniture, oil and military paintings, cutlery, pots and pans, purses, gloves, Easter decorations, pewter … ,” said Frau Schuler-Heilman, who added there are much more items – she just couldn’t list all of them.
Garrison bazaars – six throughout the year – are sponsored by the FMWR, which means proceeds generated go back into the directorate’s budget. These proceeds are used as reinvestments into family facilities and programs, Frau Schuler-Heilman said.
Family friendly is one of the goals of the garrison’s bazaars, Frau Schuler-Heilman said.
She cites wide walkways for strollers and a large tent with tables and benches outside the bazaar for eating or just resting. Also outside for families are a carousel, bouncy castle and petting zoo, which are all free.
There is not a set number of how many volunteers are needed for garrison bazaars, said Billie Burgard, the garrison’s FMWR budget assistant, who has been in charge of bazaar volunteers for about five years.
“We announce the bazaar, and honor the volunteer requests as they come in,” said Mrs. Burgard, who added about 10 volunteers are needed each day and 30 to help tear down the event.
Volunteers can help vendors at their booths, operate credit card machines and assist with cash collection and checking ID cards.
Hours are: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The event is open to all U.S. and NATO ID cardholders. Shoppers must present proper identification at the entrance.
A mini-bazaar will be held at the newly-renovated Landstuhl Community Club April 6 to 8. At this bazaar, there will be about 20 vendors, Frau Schuler-Heilman said.
