Unique handmade items and lots of delicious food will be featured at the annual Craft Bazaar at Pleasant View Communities. Organized by the Pleasant View Auxiliary, the event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the community, 544 N. Penryn Road, Manheim.

"We have 57 vendors coming," said Pam Hoffman, a member of the auxiliary. "We have a huge variety of handcrafted items."

Vendors will sell original art, fabric items, paper crafts, engraved wood pieces, jewelry, candles, soaps and more.

"We have someone who is making Norwegian sweaters," Hoffman said. "We have someone doing a modern take on frakturs and someone who creates things out of antique linens. We have someone who sells live-edge tables. We also have someone who has written a romance novel, and she'll have her books there." Pet gifts, wood toys, embroidered items, gourd art and stained glass will make up some of the other offerings.

A bake sale of items made by Pleasant View residents will also be featured, and a food stand will sell chicken corn soup, barbecue, hot dogs and drinks.

The vendors are a mix of people from the greater community as well as Pleasant View residents, and shoppers will find something for everyone on their holiday list, Hoffman said.

"It's a great way to get started on your Christmas shopping," she shared. "We have such a great variety of vendors."

Proceeds from the bazaar will benefit the Pleasant View Auxiliary. "The purpose of the auxiliary is to provide things for our residents, things that will enhance their lives," Hoffman stated. "We donate to the Benevolent Care Fund, and we also try to fulfill other requests we receive from residents, whether they live in health care, personal care or independent living."

Over the years, the bazaar has grown so big, it now occupies multiple locations of the retirement community. Vendors and food will be set up in the community's main building, with vendors also located in the Town Square North building, outside of Hearth and Harrow restaurant. Esther's Collectibles, a thrift shop on-site, will also participate in the bazaar and will have a variety of items for sale.

Next year, organizers hope to be able to hold the event in the new cultural center, which will be part of an ongoing expansion project at Pleasant View. The Hoffer Farm project is underway at the community. Named for Pleasant View founder Edna Hoffer, the project will bring a variety of new facilities and opportunities to the campus for both residents and community members. The Manheim Community Library will move from its location in downtown Manheim to the Hoffer Farm, where it will almost double its space. A cultural center will serve as an event space for learning and engagement. Additional plans include creating a teaching kitchen that will be open to the public, a maker space and a child care center. The project will also expand walking trails and other outdoor activities on the property. A capital campaign is currently underway to raise funds for the project, which will be completed in several phases.

In the meantime, Hoffman hopes people will come to the craft bazaar to pick up unique items, enjoy homemade food and support the auxiliary.

"We have really drawn some interesting vendors to the bazaar this year," she said. "It's going to be a really exciting event."

Parking attendants will be available to direct people at the bazaar. For more information on the event, including previews of items for sale, follow Pleasant View Communities on Facebook. For more information on the Hoffer Farm project, visit https://pleasantviewcommunities.org.