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Ever wish you could be part of an event that’s so big, it’s the only event of its kind in the world? In other words, would you like to have the world at your doorstep?
Well, you’re in luck. From Sept. 12 through 15, you can do just that. Come join an estimated 20,000 shoppers as they get ready to shop for specialties and distinctive finds at the 49th annual Ramstein Welfare Bazaar.
So why is it called the Ramstein “Welfare” Bazaar? Every bazaar is held to benefit the welfare of the KMC.
More specifically, a portion of every sale goes back to the community when you shop at the Ramstein bazaar.
For this to happen, we like to remind our customers to “Sign it 2 Share it” by signing the sales sheets every time they make a purchase or layaway deposit.
Last year’s bazaar raised $288,000 toward support activities for single Airmen, wounded warriors, deployed members returning from combat, as well as youth activities such as scouting, sports and academic clubs. Additionally, we partner with the Ramstein Enlisted Spouses’ Association and Kaiserslautern Landstuhl Spouses’ Association every spring to award scholarships to students and spouses pursuing higher education.
To earn nearly $300,000, shoppers purchased antiques, pottery, cheese, grandfather clocks, clothing, jewelry, demijohns, art, chocolate, toys, furniture, purses, wine barrels, table linens, tapestries, carpets, crystal, kitchenware, nutcrackers, stacking dolls and more.
To make the bazaar happen, it takes months of planning.
The 10 days prior to the bazaar’s opening is comprised of intense effort. Volunteers clear the hangar and go through the process of opening a portion of the flightline for use. As the preparation continues, a large tent is erected; vendors arrive and start setting up. Some of the vendors have been a part of the bazaar for more than 40 years.
This year, 135 vendors, including 20 first-time vendors, are making plans to attend from countries across Europe, including Poland, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Belgium, England, France and Turkey. It’s been a positive exchange where Europeans get to meet and interact with Americans and vice versa. Over the years, we’ve developed great and lasting friendships. It’s a tremendous opportunity for the vendors to see us in a really great way helping support both our communities, as well as their businesses.
Finally, after all the preparation, it’s time to shop. Organizers are elated with four days of shopping and eating, welcoming visitors from bases all over Europe, friends meeting for lunch, or girlfriends getting together for an afternoon of shopping.
A shopper can refuel on loaded hot dogs, schwenk steaks, fresh squeezed lemonade, chicken wings, tacos, salads, funnel cakes and more. All food vendors are private organizations raising money for events such as Christmas parties, annual awards, or to support an organization they are passionate about. Every dollar spent on food also goes back to the KMC.
The bazaar is hosted by the 86th Force Support Squadron and produced by the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses Club. It is only successful through a great partnership and collaboration with base leaders, private organizations, members of the 86th Maintenance Group, defenders from security forces, civil engineers, communications technicians, medical group professionals, the bazaar committee and others.
Some volunteers, like those on the bazaar committee, have been working for many months. Others arrive in those critical 10 days as volunteers to prepare food for the vendors, help run paperwork between our facilities, process sales sheets, keep the bazaar grounds clean, ensure the safety of all of our visitors, translate for some vendors, run credit card machines, clean up and, finally, tear down.
There is definitely a spot for everyone who wants to take part in making the bazaar run smoothly. Last year, more than 16,000 volunteer hours were donated from members of the community.
Personally, I’d like to thank base leadership and all of the organizations that have partnered with the 86th FSS and ROSC to make this event a success. It’s a humbling honor to be able to chair the bazaar committee and work with such an impressive, enthusiastic and committed community of volunteers.
To learn more about the bazaar and volunteer opportunities, visit www.RamsteinBazaar.org. Or, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or create a shopping list from our Pinterest boards.
