Ramstein hosts 58th annual bazaar

by Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Volunteers and service members from the 86th Airlift Wing cut the ribbon officially opening the 58th Annual Ramstein Bazaar at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 14, 2022. The four-day annual event includes more than 120 vendors from throughout Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)

The 58th Annual Ramstein Bazaar was held from Sep. 15-18, in Hangar 1 and 2, at Ramstein Air Base.
The 86th Force Support Squadron and the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club hosted the annual four-day event, which included more than 120 vendors from throughout Europe this year.
“Major events like the Ramstein Bazaar require thousands of volunteer hours to pull-off, but every second spent on this endeavor brings our entire Kaiserslautern Military Community together,” said Col. Denny Davies, 86 Airlift Wing vice commander. “For 58 years, the Ramstein Bazaar has supported hundreds of thousands of Airmen and families who called Ramstein home, and we look forward to continuing that legacy.”

U.S. Air Force Col. Denny Davies, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, addresses volunteers and attendees at the 58th Annual Ramstein Bazaar at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 14, 2022. The event is open to everyone who has base access, but only Department of Defense and NATO ID card holders may make purchases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)

The Bazaar began in 1964 has grown into not only Ramstein’s favorite annual event, but also the world’s largest DOD bazaar, explained Karyn Lasch, 2022 Ramstein Bazaar chair.
“One hundred percent of net proceeds from the bazaar go back into the KMC,’’ she said. “Being part of this tradition that gives back in a big way to our community is very fulfilling and the reason why so many of our volunteers step up to put on this event each year.”
While the event serves the KMC in a variety of ways, the event would not be nearly as successful without the team who put it together and the volunteers who supported it.
“People may not realize that as soon as the bazaar ends, we start planning for the next bazaar,” Lasch said. “It takes thousands of volunteer hours before the bazaar opens, and during the week of the bazaar volunteers help fill hundreds of shifts.”

To learn more about the Ramstein Bazaar, and upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit www.ramsteinbazaar.org.

Service members from the 86th Airlift Wing, as well as members from the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club, stand together at the 58th Annual Ramstein Bazaar at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 14, 2022. ROSC, along with other volunteers, contributed more than 4,000 volunteer hours to set up and prepare for the Ramstein Bazaar. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Jacoby)