2006 Snowmobile Is Top Prize for Island's Christmas Bazaar

Preparations are underway for this year's Mackinac Island Christmas Bazaar, scheduled for Saturday, December 2, through Monday, December 4, at Community Hall. Highlights include a snowmobile raffle, live auction, silent auction, food, and a later boat departure off the Island to accommodate mainland visitors. Last year's event raised $50,000 for the Island's medical center and churches.

A 2006 Ski-Doo snowmobile, which was donated by Island businesses, will be the grand raffle prize. Only 300 tickets will be sold for the drawing, at a cost of $2 each. Christmas raffle tickets are $25 each with a first prize of $1,000, and four $500 prizes. Tickets for a 50/50 raffle will be $1 each, or six for $5.

Plants and Christmas items will be available for purchase and white elephant tables will include new items for sale. Abake sale will be held, ice cream treats will be available, and visitors will be able to purchase tickets for a dinner.

The bazaar opens at 11 a.m. each day and ends at 6 p.m., except Monday, when it concludes at 4 p.m.

Arnold Transit will modify Sunday's boat schedule for Island Christmas bazaar visitors by changing the 4:30 p.m. boat departure to 5 p.m. for those traveling from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace.

The annual Christmas bazaar benefits the Mackinac Island Medical Center, Little Stone Church, Ste. Anne's Catholic Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Mackinac Island Bible Church.

Tickets are available at the First National Bank of St. Ignace on the Island, at the Island Medical Center, or at the bazaar. They also are available by mail, attention Kay Hoppenrath, Mackinac Island Medical Center, P.O. Box 536, Mackinac Island, MI 49757.