Shoppers Gather at Christmas Extravaganza for Holiday Gifts

The Arts and Crafts Christmas Extravaganza was on Saturday, December 10 and Friday, December 16, at Watchetaker Hall. The all-day event featured about 50 vendors and was open to the public and anybody can come.

Coordinator of the event, Carlene Atauvich-Collins, who works as a database specialist for Higher Education, said patrons will be able to find items from outside of the state.

“We have vendors that come in from New Mexico, from all over the place. Texas, they all come here and set up,” she said. “So, there's so many unique gifts, artists, well-known artists are here and our doors are open.”

According to Atauvich-Collins, the event started with ten vendors on a Friday, and when the news spread about having one, more vendors inquired about the event.

“We had tribal members that really did want to come when they couldn't. So, we started opening up on scheduling it for Saturdays, and more vendors were able to attend, too,” she said. “So, once we did a Saturday, it just happened where we had 20 vendors or 20 plus vendors, and each year it just grew and grew and grew.”

Atauvich-Collins said seeing people have a good time is her favorite part about the event.

“Seeing people that we haven't seen in a long time just come in and just, ‘Happy to see you,’ giving you hugs, giving us praises that ‘It's a good setup,’ a ‘Good job,’ that's what makes my heart feel good,” she said. “Because as long as we are doing what we need to have our people come in and enjoy themselves, and not complain, but to tell us that they really enjoy themselves, that is what satisfies my heart.”

Atauvich-Collins said she will be stepping down from running the event due to retirement in a couple of years and will have Ritchie Felix, the building manager for the Dorothy Sunrise Lorentino Education Center, run Christmas Extravaganza soon.

“He's ran the convention fair vendors, so he's picking up really quick, and I hope that he will continue to run it for two days, hoping maybe a third day, like a whole weekend Friday to Sunday,” she said.

Atauvich-Collins said the event would be one time Friday and Sunday, giving employees, tribal members and the public time to enjoy the event.

“When our tribal members come in, or anybody that comes in and shops, the atmosphere here is just like a reunion type,” she said. “People are visiting and laughing and talking, and the atmosphere just uplifts the whole area to where everybody just enjoys themselves.”

Felix said he’s excited about the upcoming vendor fairs.

“Definitely would like to continue to see it grow and expand and just continue to bring people together,” he said. “And hopefully draw more interest from other vendors who see the interest that the public has, and just show their interest to come and join in with us as well.”

Felix said his favorite part is working with vendors to give them a position to get their crafts to the public, as well as building relationships.

“It's been fun working with these people and getting to know them, and getting to talk with them, and spend time with them,” he said. “And just seeing a couple of vendors that I work with from the fair, it's like they're becoming part of family now, and they're welcoming me into building a relationship with them has meant a lot.”

The Arts and Crafts Extravaganza is held every year around Christmas.