by Julie Ann Madden

Need some Christmas gifts or looking for some of those special vendors’ items?

Akron’s fifth annual Holiday Vendor-Craft-Art Fair is this Saturday, Dec. 1, and admission is free.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Fellowship Hall, 300 N. Third St., about 25 vendors will be selling a variety of wares.

There is something for everyone — from homemade crafts and artwork to food and massages.

In addition, three local groups are raising funds.

First, the Portland Preston Pillars Pride 4-H Club will be having a bake sale. The proceeds will go for club projects and activities.

Second, the Akron Care Center staff will be serving a breakfast brunch of cinnamon rolls and coffee. In addition, they will have a lunch with taverns, coney dogs, hot dogs, chips. individual desserts, pop, coffee and water. The proceeds will go to benefit the Akron Care Center residents.

Third, Cari Brogden of Akron is selling titanium bracelets and necklaces with proceeds going to Lefty Swift Ball Field Park Improvement Fund for new playground equipment. They hope to have the new playground equipment installed by Spring 2014.

There will also be door prizes drawings held.

This vendor fair is the ideal place to find Christmas gifts for not only others but yourself, said Fair Coordinator Babette Harris. There are plenty of “cash-and-carry” items — no waiting anxiously for delivery before Christmas.

For more information on this event, contact Babette Harris at 712-552-7278.

• A La Bling

Bling pants, shirts, purses, wallets & more by

Amy Fixsel of Moville

• Babette’s Paintings

Paintings, greeting cards and handpainted glass ornaments by Babette Harris of Akron

• Body By Vi

Protein shakes for healthy living/weight loss

by Barry Borchers of Le Mars

• Brenda Goodier Designs

Embroidered items, glass blocks, mugs & tumblers by Brenda Goodier of South Sioux City, Neb.

• Celebrating Home

Home decor and cooking by Sharon Schettler of Sioux City

• Dressed to the 9’s/Paparazzi Jewelry

Many inexpensive jewelry pieces by Theresa Gunderson of Homer, Neb.

• Eden’s Treasury

Floral arrangements and more by Linda Steen of Alcester, S.D.

• Ella G

Handcrafted soaps, candles, lotions & car fresheners by Carrie Wilkensen of Harwarden

• Grace Adele

Handbags, clutches, accessories, phone cases & scarves by Paula Brown of Sioux City

• Heidesch Custom Woodcrafters

Many items crafted from wood by Heidesch Brothers of Remsen

• It Works! Global

All natural products for an improved quality of life:

tightening, toning & firming body wraps by Liz Alexander of Le Mars

• Main Street Massage

Chair and table massages by Helen Moss & Judy Brown of North Sioux City, S.D.

• Mary Kay Products

Beauty products by Lucy Colt of Akron

• Mindy’s Designs

Handcrafted purses and various covers for iPads, Kindles, etc. by Mindy Smykle of Akron

• Norwex Cleaning Products

by Tammy Arnold of Merrill

• Pampered Chef & Tutu Cute

Pampered Chef kitchen items and custom-made tutus and other homemade items by Nicole Turney of Dakota Dunes

• Scentsy

Wax melting scents with stylish warmers by Gloria Jackson of Oto

• Seventh Time/Finally Flowers

Hair bows and acessories by Sue Bergman of Akron

• Simply Said Designs

Vinyl wall stickers by Angela Brunsting of Hawarden

• Tastefully Simple

Great food tiems, cash & carry, samples available

by Stephanie Heidesch of Remsen

• Thirty-One

Organizing totes, purses, wallets, etc. by Jaime Colt of Akron

• Tupperware Products

by Cindy Schwier of Sioux City

• Usborne Books

Children’s books and more by JoAnn Vanderburg of Valley Springs, S.D.