In 1999, The Helping Center of Marble Falls, as a charitable organization that provided assistance to anyone in the Marble Falls area, was also in need of assistance.
This need was not only repairs for their small building but also additional foods and dry goods for the growing number of needy families in the area.
One of the board members, John Long, recognized this need and proposed a fund raising event. Long was the pastor of the Church at Horseshoe Bay, and approached not only the ladies of his church but also the ladies of St. Paul the Apostle. In 2000, under the direction of HSB resident Gayle Monahan, a trunk show was organized and held at the resident of Billie and Bob Black. There were two vendors, Donna Long and Dottie Berk. The event was met with great enthusiasm from the community and another event was planned for the next year.
Gayle Monahan and Carolyn Lloyd contacted many of their “crafting” friends to begin meeting in Gayle’s basement to make items for the next year’s event. In 2001, the Helping Hands Craft ladies held a Christmas bazaar at the Granite Grill. This is now where Fornos Bar and Grill is located. All the proceeds went to the Helping Center of Marble Falls. This event was also successful and was the beginning of a project that has grown over the years to what is known today as Bayside Bazaar.
The Helping Hands Craft Guild created Bayside Bazaar in 2003. That year the event was held at Quail Point and not only featured the hand crafted items from the guild but also items from the five vendors that were in attendance. The bazaar was held each year in November and continued at either Quail Point or Fellowship Hall of Church at Horseshoe Bay until 2007 where the event was held at the Horseshoe Bay Marriott.
In 2008 and 2009 the event returned to Quail Point. At that point Quail Point was beginning a massive renovation and the Bazaar, once again, moved to Fellowship Hall in Church at Horseshoe Bay. In the fall of 2011, Bayside Bazaar returned to the newly renovated Quail Point Lodge where the event has remained.
Through the continued work of the members of the craft guild and the support of the many vendors each year, Bayside Bazaar has been able to give to the Helping Center of Marble Falls and average of $15,000 per year. In 2020, because of the pandemic, the Craft Guild held a “non-event” donation drive and through the generosity of the Horseshoe Bay community gave $11,000 to the Helping Center.
The Helping Hands Craft Guild continues to work towards another successful bazaar in 2024. The many talented ladies either work as a group on the first and third Monday of each month or many produce their own art at home. The bazaar has featured a very successful silent auction, lunch available for patrons as well as a style show by Salem’s of Marble Falls. This has grown from the idea of a trunk show to a full day of shopping, fellowship and giving for a most deserving cause.
