Ramstein bazaar celebrates 50 years

Courtesy of the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar
Photo by Sarah HartnettMarie-Ange Graessel of Poterie Graessel shows a ceramic wine cooler to event coordinator Scarlett Hughes Wednesday during the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar. Poterie Graessel, along with over 90 other vendors, created special items to celebrate the historic milestone.
Photo by Sarah Hartnett
Marie-Ange Graessel of Poterie Graessel shows a ceramic wine cooler to event coordinator Scarlett Hughes Wednesday during the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar. Poterie Graessel, along with over 90 other vendors, created special items to celebrate the historic milestone.

For the 50th time, the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar’s hangar doors are open for business. Today and through the weekend, thousands of shoppers from all over the world have the opportunity to purchase European treasures while benefitting the KMC.

Over 150 vendors, including 29 food vendors, will offer a taste of Europe on the Ramstein flightline. There is something for everyone — Turkish rugs, Polish and Italian pottery, crystal, clothing, antiques, grandfather clocks, wine and spirits, jewelry, holiday items, toys, clothing and much more.

This year, many vendors created special, one-of-a-kind 50th bazaar commemorative items customers won’t want to miss.

“I can’t wait to shop at the 50th Ramstein Welfare Bazaar,” said Marianne Williams, who traveled from Washington, D.C., for the event.

While shopping at the bazaar, buyers shouldn’t forget to “Sign It 2 Share It.” By signing the vendor’s sales sheet for every purchase — large or small — buyers are ensuring a portion of their purchase goes back to organizations in the KMC and military wide.

Over the past seven years, more than $2.7 million has gone back into the community in the form of grants and scholarships. To find out how an organization can request funds from the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar, visit www.RamsteinBazaar.org.

The Ramstein Welfare Bazaar is an 86th Force Support Squadron event produced by community volunteers. Under the leadership of bazaar chairwoman Glenda Young, the Ramstein Officers Spouses’ Club Bazaar Committee has already put in more than 2,500 volunteer hours in preparation for this year’s event.

“We are thrilled to have such great partnerships with 86th FSS and the many organizations that come together to support this annual event.  It takes more than 11,000 volunteer hours to make the bazaar happen, and we couldn’t do it without support from the community,” Young said. “It is a humbling honor to chair the bazaar committee and work with such an impressive, enthusiastic and committed group of volunteers.”

The 50th Ramstein Welfare Bazaar takes place until Sunday on the Ramstein flightline and the giant tent in hangars 1 and 2.

For more information, visit www.ramsteinbazaar.org or “like” the Facebook page “Ramstein Welfare Bazaar.”