Dear Editor,

The big event of the Allenspark summer, second only to the Fourth of July celebration, is the annual Bazaar hosted by the Hilltop Guild. It is always on the first Saturday of August and this year that’s August 5. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. enjoy homemade arts and crafts, dandelion jelly, homemade baked goods and gourmet sandwiches. Food trucks will be on the premises. There’s plenty of parking and admission is free.

If the weather is fine, you will be able to stroll among seven vendors while enjoying music by the Railroad Ramblers. Inside the Kelley House, Guild members will showcase their handicrafts. The loom room will feature woven items from shoelaces to rugs. Several quilts will be for sale. The ever-popular “scrubbies” for kitchen tasks also will be available. Handmade knitted washcloths and embroidered tea towels always sell quickly. The White Elephant offers a wide selection of gently used household items at bargain prices while the nearby book hut has a wide selection of books and puzzles.

Check out Hilltop Guild events at the web page www.hilltopguild.org.

The ladies of the Hilltop Guild earmark much of the money made at the Bazaar for local college scholarships. “This year, $11,500 in scholarships went to four students in Estes Park and three in Lyons,” said Jen Bell, president of the Guild.

Historic Bunce School, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1888, is located within walking distance of the Kelley House and will be open on August 5. “Kids love to see what it was like in the old days,” said Mary Rushing, volunteer.

If the weather is fine on that day, volunteer Roz Doak will be on the front porch demonstrating how to spin wool or fleece into yarn.

Bunce School also will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays August 19 and September 2. Kids will be able to take part in a scavenger hunt inside the school identifying such items as an ice box, antique clay marbles game, lunch pail, leather book holder, antique sewing machine and more.

The Guild is located at 18720 Highway 7 south of Allenspark en route to Lyons. Bright outdoor flags will mark the location. And if you can’t make the Bazaar, come to the Fall Festival September 23!

Elisabeth Sherwin

Allenspark