Other northeast Ohio maker fairs have come and gone in the last 20 years but the Cleveland Bazaar, founded and run by the indefatigable Shannon Okey, keeps going — and growing.
Originally started as the local wing of the national Bazaar Bizarre, it went independent and gradually added to the number of events it hosts. It outlived the Cleveland Flea’s massive lifestyle events which pulled the plug in February 2020 shortly before pandemic would’ve put them on hiatus anyway. Last year, on short notice, it filled the hole left by Akron’s Crafty Mart, which cancelled its holiday market at the last minute, leaving the vendors stranded during their busiest sales time. Cleveland Bazaar stepped in and organized an alternative event for them.
Now it’s announced a full schedule of events in both Cleveland and Akron — through the end of 2024. If only all event promoters were this organized!
They include monthly events in Akron starting in April, a return of the biweekly Cleveland Bazaars to Market Square Park across from the West Side Market starting May 4, and dates already (!) for 2024 holiday markets, including the Akron Holiday Bazaar November 29-December 1, and usual Cleveland events — the 5th Street Arcades on November 30 during the downtown Winterland celebration, the Cleveland Bazaar at Lake Affect Studios on December 7 and the year’s biggest Cleveland Bazaar at 78th Street Studios December 14 and 15, marking its 20th year. Go here for a full schedule and more information. Vendor deadline is March 1.