Prairie Crossing hosts cookie walk, bake sale Dec. 22
For anyone looking for a creative, last-minute holiday gift, check out the 18th Annual Prairie Crossing Cookie Walk and Bake Sale.
On Sunday, Dec. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake, shoppers can choose from thousands of homemade holiday cookies, handmade gifts, stocking stuffers and other unique items offered by local artisans and businesses. All proceeds go to charity.
New this year, volunteer bakers will vie for cash prizes in a baking contest for best homemade cookie based on taste and appearance categories. Any bakers wishing to donate cookies and automatically enter the baking contest should drop off three dozen homemade cookies between 11 a.m. and noon, Dec. 22, at the Byron Colby Barn. Label the container with the baker’s name and phone number.
Cookie Walk patrons may purchase empty cookie boxes, available in two sizes, and select their own assortment of homemade holiday cookies from the buffet. Volunteers will continue to refill the cookie tables during the two-hour event so a fresh supply is always available.
To help shoppers manage the holiday stress, massage therapists from Release Massage Therapy will offer free chair massages, first-come, first-served. Gift certificates for massage and spa days will also be available for purchase. Other booths will feature handmade jewelry, hand-painted gourds, ornaments, knitwear, bath items and home goods. Ginger Blossom, a Richmond store specializing in unique goods and crafts from around the world, will also have a booth stocked with gift items.
While parents shop, children can visit Santa’s Workshop to decorate a free cookie and create their own handmade Christmas cards. Hot cider and cocoa will also be available for sale, and shoppers are welcome to stay and enjoy their cookies while listening to live holiday music.
A raffle will give shoppers a chance to win a flat screen TV, digital camera, gift certificates for massages and local stores, a gourmet cake by award-winning baker, Catherine Finger, as well as cash prizes ranging from $50 to $5,000. Raffle proceeds will go to Arms Around Adele, a fundraiser for 2-year-old Adele Higgins of Burbank, who has Cystic Fibrosis.
Additional booth space is available for any local small businesses looking to market their goods and services. There is no fee to rent a booth, but vendors are encouraged to donate a raffle item. Contact Ellen Ewing at esecooks@aol.com.
All proceeds from the Cookie Walk will be split between three nonprofit charities: the Cystic Fibrosis Association, Avon Township Food Pantry and the Prairie Crossing Volunteer Corps.
For questions or to volunteer to help at the Cookie Walk, contact Elizabeth Stearns at elizabethstearns@waukeganpl.info.