By Fred Petrucelli thecabin.net Copyright 2011 The Cabin. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

One of the state’s wondrous shows, the St. Joseph Church Bazaar that had its beginning early in the 20th century, has remained a graphic fixture in Conway ever since. 

Throughout the years, the bazaar has been the fundamental source of funds for Catholic education by the simple expedient of dispensing wholesome fun, fabulous food and unheard of bargains in abundance in its gigantic flea market. 

The first reporting of funds garnered by the bazaar in 1920 was a mere $1,250. Over the years, its revenues have risen dramatically until currently, says Brad Hegeman, major domo of the bazaar. 

“It provides some 12 to 15 percent of the annual school budget,” Hegeman said.

The bazaar has always worn a mantel of a ministry through which the parish expresses its commitment to being a loving, caring joyful people dedicated to the furthering of God’s kingdom, 

The camaraderie and sense of connection that blooms with each performance has drawn fans from far and near. There’s no gainsaying that the bazaar is a world of discovery, fanciful in design, offering treats for the eye.

It has been said that people return year after year to drink in its wonders, to meet old friends, devour delicious homemade vittles and find bargains at every turn. Fun and games define the midway where games of chance — including bingo — will entice fans of the bazaar on Friday. This is where booths hold out the promise of merchandise and of foodstuffs to the individuals whose luck depends on the spin of a wheel. Other fanciful attractions will present themselves for the 2011 show slated for Aug. 5-6. 

The bazaar, the oldest funfest in Conway and perhaps in the state, has been a sustaining event which asserts itself and manifests its good will. It’s been a a part of the fabric of this community since 1912.

Dangled before the eyes of hopefuls who have a whim for taking chances — with the purchase of ducats, of course — is a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro that will go to the lucky ticket holder during the final moments of the bazaar.

But such a prize was unheard of during the early years of the show. In times past, the lucky winner had gone home with a $40 cow or a bed spread, or a car battery, or a bale of cotton, or maybe a horse, etc.

Food has been a staple since its first serving in 1913. In times past, food was prepared in the homes of parishioners since the church did not have facilities for preparing meals on a grand scale. 

One churchgoer was heard to say that “in those days everyone had a few chickens around the house and they’d make chicken and dressing. It seems that many cooks had a hand in its preparation, and when it was served, it was some of the best tasting stuff you’ve ever had.” 

Early on, the food had a northern European flavor in keeping with the traditions of Conway’s earliest residents, but today the Italian influence has made itself felt with spaghetti the basic commodity — and nobody seems to know why. But the traditional German sausage has remained a fixture.

The spaghetti dinner will be served Friday night. Box lunches also will be available via a call to the church. 

Ah, the flea market, that humongous, probably the granddaddy of all flea markets with its mountains of clothing and shoes and virtually everything in between. The bargains leave the searchers breathless — if not exhausted. 

There have been instances in the past when these flea market searches uncovered treasures — money, old newspapers, ancient photographs, important historical documents and even jewels.

Today’s bazaar no longer features outlandish goings-on like the mouse stand, penny pitching, pig throwing and other games equally as questionable. The mouse stand was a peculiar entity wherein a mouse, after running about, would duck into a hole on a numbered board and if the holder of the corresponding number saw his mouse vanish into the hole, he’d be a winner.

One wag said, “Wild mice worked best because the tame ones wouldn’t go anywhere.”

The time honored bazaar developed out of a simple concept in 1912 when the sisters of Notre Dame sold fancy needlework to support the grade school at St. Joseph’s Church. Today the event is a world of discovery. Lively moments are there for the taking everywhere the eye travels.