Prairie City residents Sharon Kimberling, left, and Lisa Rynearson chat at the Nov. 15 Mt. Vernon Grange Christmas Bazaar.

MT. VERNON – Shoppers braved snowy roads and chilly weather last week to get to a pair of holiday bazaars in Mt. Vernon.

The annual Mt. Vernon Grange Bazaar featured a colorful array of hand-crafted goods in the Grange Hall on Highway 26, just east of town. Organizers offered a hot lunch of stew and slices of tasty homemade pies to fuel the shoppers and browsers.

Nearby at the Mt. Vernon Community Center, the Mt. Vernon Fire Department offered a two-fer – a bazaar and a bake sale. The event raised donations for the Christmas food basket program, and also included a chili and cornbread lunch.

The bazaar season continues this Saturday with Christmas on the Prairie, with activities all day in Prairie City.