WorldFest Market
There's no need to grab passports and tango with airlines in order to go shopping abroad. The sixth annual WorldFest international shopping market brings the work of artisans worldwide to Oklahoma.
World Neighbors focuses on eradicating hunger, poverty and disease around the globe. Its approach has a more lasting and notable effect, said Erin Engelke, vice president of marketing and communications.
"World Neighbors invests in people," Engelke said. "We are giving them a hand up instead of a handout."
One way is by connecting artisans with buyers. WorldFest incorporates products from countries within Asia, Africa and Latin America. Marketgoers this year are able to purchase products such as South American cocoa, hand-woven Pakistani scarves, and table linen crafted by artists in India.
All items are Fair Trade-certified, meaning the international artists have been allotted a fair wage, she said.
WorldFest is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Gaillardia Golf & Country Club, 5300 Gaillardia. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children under 12. A ticket is required to enter the Gaillardia gates.
For more information, visit wn.org.
An Affair of the Heart
For more than a quarter century, An Affair of the Heart has been providing shoppers with crafts and other products from artists around the metro and the country.
Co-founder Gayle Dyer said women have a obvious love affair with pretty things, whether they adorn their bodies or garnish the walls of their home. Affair looks to fulfill that love by providing shoppers with unique and affordable items.
"The men are calling it the Super Bowl for women," Dyer said. "It's become women's own special time each year."
An Affair of the Heart stretches out over three days and seven buildings at State Fair Park, 333 Gordon Cooper, with more than 1,000 booths from vendors as far away as Alaska.
This year's fall show is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $6.
For more information, visit www.anaffairof-theheart.com.
Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar
There is no need for buyer's remorse at the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar, as social justice and community activism are the driving forces behind this market.
Local vendors, community groups and nonprofit organizations all furnish booths at this youthful shopping event, said Sarah Cowan, program director.
"We do this for the love of the community," she said.
Original handmade products including screen prints, photography, jewelry, furniture and holiday items abound as shoppers will make their way through the 65 artist booths. With Deluxe, everything is local; from the artists to their products, they are all based in Oklahoma.
There will also be children's activities and family friendly music throughout the event.
"Deluxe meets the needs of the young, modern family," Cowan said. "That's something we can be proud of because it's also full of integrity."
Doors open at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 in the Centennial building at State Fair Park. Admission is free, and the market runs until 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.deluxeok.net. "Ta'chelle Jones
