Pumpkin patches, fall festivals and crafts bazaars are in full season. Get out and shop!

Sure, you could go to the malls to shop for gifts, or order online. But think how much better it could be during the holiday season to get out and support our local vendors and organizations at their many craft fairs and bazaars.

“It’s the perfect time for some ‘me’ shopping and a wonderful way to support cancer research in our community,” Sara Lee Sanderson said of the Ultimate Bazaar, long organized by the Woman’s Cancer Association of the University of Miami.

The Healing Arts Festival and Bazaar will take place in the beautiful gardens at Cauley Square Historic Village with a makers market, local designers, holistic practitioners and healers, artists, performers and vegan foods. Pets are invited too. It’s billed as a “transformational conscious-consumer festival created for the entire family.”

“This festival comes from my heart,” founder Patricia Lefont said. “You see kids meditating, people painting. Wellness includes your mind, body and spirit. At the Healing Arts Festival there is everything that helps you heal through art.”

If it’s nature you love, visit the Miami Beach Botanical Garden Annual Botanical Bazaar and shop under the palms. Organizers list items for sale, made by local artisans, include “botanically themed products, candles, and clothing.” There will also be art workshops, holiday music, and yoga.

Temple Beth Am is changing it up this year with the annual holiday bazaar featuring a “ladies night out,” Lisa K. Reichert said. You can gather friends for happy hour while doing your holiday shopping all while helping support the Temple Beth Am Youth Engagement Scholarship Fund.

It’s time to celebrate in our community.

Pumpkin patches make way for Christmas tree lots, artisans at bazaars bring out their carefully created wares, and volunteers at church fairs show children how to make crafts and decorate cookies.

At the Pumpkin Patch in Kendall, the last weekend before Halloween, Jessica Delabarrera helped her daughter Joslyn Rose, 15 months, find a pumpkin. They came all the way from Little Havana.

“We drove down U.S. 1 until we found a place, almost 80 blocks, to find a pumpkin,” Delabarrera said.

The one Joslyn Rose picked was little, like her, so her mom bought two big pumpkins too.

“We’re going to carve them all,” Dellabarrera said.

Fabian Cardo and Massiel Soto from Miami brought their little one, Megan, 18 months, to her first pumpkin patch.

“It’s my first pumpkin patch too!” Cardo said as he helped Megan choose.

Chris Winkler is the owner of The Pumpkin Patch, on the corner of Southwest 82nd Avenue and 104th Street. It’s been at the same location for 50 years, he said. He also has a place in Cutler Bay. His mom and dad started the business when he was 6 months old.

“I grew up in the business. I like working with the farmers. I can speak their lingo,” Winkler said.

Once Halloween is over he’ll start working with farmers to bring in Christmas trees by Nov. 16. He said the pumpkins were really difficult to get this year “because of the weather changes.” He had to freight them in from five farms in Denver, Kansas City, Ann Arbor, North Carolina and Virginia.

“One pumpkin farmer told me ‘I’m out’ on Oct. 2. It will be the same for Christmas trees. They come from high up in the mountains in North Carolina and the Virginia border.

“The pumpkin farmers had to plant two crops to make it worthwhile. It takes 120 days from seed to harvest,” Winkler said. He said the pumpkin farmers he works with in Michigan had snow until Mother’s Day.

At The Pumpkin Patch, there are places in front of hay bales to take family photos, bounce houses, and a castle with a slide to play on. A grand horse statue leading a covered wagon makes for a great picture. Big white ghost pumpkins with thick walls look like giants next to the orange sugar pie pumpkins.

Winkler’s wife Rosie loves interacting with the families. And Landy Magarino has the job of washing the pumpkins people pick. In Spanish, he said he likes helping the people.

Rosie Winkler agreed.

“That’s the best part. People are the best part,” she said. “It’s a joy.”

THE LIST OF HOLIDAY BAZAARS, CRAFT FESTIVALS

Here’s our guide to some of the season’s community bazaars and holiday craft fairs in Miami-Dade County. You’ll find handmade gifts, holiday decorations, music, raffles, baked goods, food trucks, crafts, workshops, and fun activities for the kids. Admission is free unless otherwise noted.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 22: Plymouth Preschool Holiday Bazaar in Davis Hall, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 3429 Devon Rd., Coconut Grove. Shop for jewelry, handbags, clothing, holiday crafts, candles, and home goods. Register and more information at Eventbrite.

Nov. 23-24: Annual Christmas Bazaar sponsored by the Council of Catholic Women, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes Church Parish Hall, 11291 SW 142 Ave. Shop for gifts from over 40 vendors selling unique merchandise. The raffle includes a $300 VISA gift card.

Nov. 30: Las Comadres Bazaar, 12 to 5 p.m., Casa Florida Hotel, 437 SW Second St. On Small Business Saturday, join this community of local women entrepreneurs committed to uplifting one another in life and in business. Purchase holiday gifts by artists and makers, attend workshops, and enjoy yummy bites. Also, crafts for kids, cooking demonstrations, DJ music, yoga, and sound bowl sessions. Register at Eventbrite.

DECEMBER

Dec. 1: 16th Annual German Christmas Market, 12 to 6 p.m., Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 DeSoto Blvd. This fun holiday market is a traditional German Advent Celebration and features authentic German food, homemade cakes and cookies, and spiced wine. Vendors in decorated booths sell Advent wreaths, ornaments, crafts and jewelry. Enjoy Christmas music, caroling and a visit from St. Nikolaus. Hosted by the German Ministry of Coral Gables Congregational Church.

Dec. 1: Healing Arts Experience and Bazaar at Cauley Square, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 22400 Old Dixie Hwy. Spend the day enjoying a makers’ market, workshops on meditation and fitness, talks on wellness and therapies, arts and crafts, vegan and plant-based products, dance, a holiday village and kids’ activities, bakery and vegan food trucks, and animal friends care and services. Visit www.helingartsexpo.com to learn more. Call 305-336-9313 or email at healingartsexpo@gmail.com to get involved.

Dec. 5: Temple Beth Am Holiday Shopping, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 5950 N. Kendall Dr. Entrance fee is $18, or $25 at the door. Rally friends to sip and shop. You get unlimited wine and hors d’oeuvres, plus access to over 30 vendors selling jewelry, handbags, children’s and adult clothing, toys, Judaica, skincare products, home décor and personalized items. RSVP at www.tbam.org/ladiesnightout. Call 305-667-6667.

Dec. 6-8: Fair at Church of the Little Flower and St. Theresa Catholic School. Friday hours are 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday hours are 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday hours are 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. 2701 Indian Mound Trail, Coral Gables. There will be rides, games and international foods for purchase. Call 305-446-9950 or 305-446-1738.

Dec. 7: Holiday on the Plaza at City Hall, 4 to 9 p.m., 100 Civic Ct. Road, Homestead. Free annual holiday celebration for the children of South Florida featuring presentations by Expressions Dance Academy and the South Dade High School Marching Band. There will be a movie on the plaza and a parade with the Florida Trail Riders and Club Hipico horses escorting Santa and Mrs. Claus who will stay to greet the children. Call 305-323-6564 for more or visit www.homesteadmainstreet.net.

Dec. 7: Holiday Bazaar and Complimentary Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., East Ridge @ Cutler Bay, 19301 SW 87 Ave. Shop for craft items including peacock wreaths and hat bands, wine cork gifts, holiday pillows, blankets, plants, new books, baked goods, and fine gifts from the thrift shop. Special raffle prizes also. Contact Fran Plummer at franplmmr@yahoo.com or 305-252-0293.

Dec. 8: Bet Shira Sisterhood Annual Holiday Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7500 SW 120 St. Shop for jewelry, cosmetics, Judaica, art, clothing, gifts, toys, ceramics, accessories and more. Vendors can contact betshirabazaar@gmail.com or call/text Nancy at 786-387-5852.

Dec. 14: Second Annual Holiday Bazaar and Indie Craft Fair presented by South Miami Lutheran Church School, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 7190 Sunset Dr. Vendors with many unique items, crafts for kids, and an appearance by Santa. For more or vendor inquiries, call 786-426-6600.

Dec. 14-15: Miami-Dade Parks’ 44th Annual Fruit & Spice Park Redland Heritage Festival and Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 24801 SW 187th Ave., Homestead. Experience the rich history of this park and get a jump on purchasing one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Vendors will showcase traditional natural arts and crafts, and nurseries will sell native plants and tropical fruit trees. Food and beverages for purchase and a kids’ area will have pony rides, face painting and old-time games. Included are a classic car display, and special exhibits and lecturers from The Florida Pioneer Museum. Admission is $10 per adult and free for kids, ages 12 and under. For more, call 305-247-5727 and visit www.redlandfruitandspice.com.

Dec. 15: Miami Beach Botanical Garden Annual Botanical Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2000 Convention Center Dr. Shop under the palms and enjoy a day for the family featuring local artisans selling botanically-themed products, candles, and clothing. There will also be children’s art workshops, holiday music, and yoga. Register at Eventbrite.

This story was originally published October 30, 2019 at 6:30 AM.