Christmas in the Country, held annually the first Friday, Saturday & Sunday of December, is Bainbridge Island's premier winter holiday event. Launching the celebration of the Christmas season each year since 1993, this beloved community event supports home-based business entreprenuers, nonprofit organizations, artists, authors, and musicians. Following a map, visitors will drive the winding, tree-lined, rural roads on Bainbridge and stop at quaint historic cottages, farms, fascinating homes handbuilt by the owners, and nonprofit venues. One can experience first hand a historical perspective of some of the early 1900 Bainbridge Island homes or meet native born Islanders who are descendants of individuals significant to Island history. Venues are tucked deep within tall stands of Douglas fir and cedar trees and others in various neighborhood hills and dales, some of them built between 1910-1930 in conjunction with two large sawmills that operated on both ends of the Island. The Christmas in the Country tour allows you to explore backwoods Bainbridge and experience private homes and buildings while shopping for unique, handmade art, gift items, and epicurean delights created by local and regional artists and authors.
Christmas in the Country is festive & fun!! The free, driving tour is suitable for all ages. Besides holiday shopping that is unique and personal, there are activities for children including free pony rides and Santa visits. Six fascinating venues welcome you to stop in and experience history, meet fascinating artists and their handmade arts & crafts, nosh on savory foods, and enjoy festive music, activities and décor. Bathe in the fascinating charm and hominess within the classy and historic homes. Encounter Santa and his elves in the rustic coziness of a family built barn. Enjoy the mirth of children riding a pony in a bucolic equestrian stable.
Due to tight quarters and varying levels, some of the home venues are not wheelchair accessible inside. Some have outdoor artists and food vendors, however. The following venues can accommodate wheelchairs: Countryman Stables, Hazel Creek Farm, Lynwood Commons, and the Island Music Center first floor.
Please consider carpooling as parking is limited. For safety and to avoid traffic congestion when parking on our narrow country roads, please pull completely off the road onto the shoulder. Note: Not all vendors accept credit cards.
Visit The Tour page for Venues and Artist/Activities list. Visit The Map page for help in locating each stop.
OurVenues
Lynwood Commons Just north of historic Lynwood Center, Lynwood Commons opened in 2002 developed as a mixed use complex of apartments, offices, and restaurants by Morrie and Kathy Blossom. Sarah Blossom, manager, hosts a marvelous group of artists in Suite G. Learn more about the Blossom family history on the Fascinating Facts page.
Countryman Stables Rick & Kathy Countryman generously offer free pony rides for children 12 & under in a covered arena, Saturday and Sunday, 12-2pm. The Countryman’s Bainbridge Island roots run deep into the rich soil of Island ancestry. See the contribution to Island history that Kathy's great grandfather made on the Fascinating Facts page.
Hajnalka's Studio Hajnalka (Hajni) Joslyn's creativity is evident at every turn from the clothes she sews and wears, the garden she designed and nurtures, the watercolors she paints, the jewelry she fashions, and home she shares with husband Marc Joslyn PhD, a marriage, family, & child counselor. New to the tour this year, Hajni invites you to her yard and studio to explore a motley splay of unique art. Read more about Hajni's haven on the Fascinating Facts page. Sweetlife Farm Nestled deep in the woods, bees hum busily visiting herbal flowers and pollinating berry blossoms that become the ingredients used in the natural farm raised products created by Bob & Nancy Fortner at Sweetlife Farm.A visit to their lodge-style home is a visual gratification and their cottage industry a testimony to expressed creativity and dedication to hard work.Read more about Sweetlife Farm on the Fascinating Facts page. Island Music Center New to Christmas in the Country this year, the nonprofit Island Music Center was founded in 1999. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the IMC is located in Rolling Bay across from Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. The Center is full of melodious creativity as music students frequent the many classes offered there or attend music camps and workshops. The IMC will treat us to a host of musicians and artists during Christmas in the Country. Read more about the IMC on the Fascinating Facts page.
Hazel Creek Farm (1921) This rustic and bucolic five acre family compound was hand-built by owners Ollie and Janice Pedersen and is also home to the Hazel Creek Montessori School.During Christmas in the Country, the barn is bursting with activity, music and the happy sounds of Christmas wishes shared with Santa and his elves in Santaland. See photos and expanded story on Fascinating Facts.
Our Support Team
This event is a cooperative effort by valued individuals and groups. Some contribute financially to the success of Christmas in the Country but all invest their time, talents, and energy to make your visit to Bainbridge Island and each venue a special and memorable time.
Hosts: First and foremost the venue owners deserve kudos for opening their hearts and homes and studios to the community and guest artists, authors and musicians: Sarah Blossom, Rick & Kathy Countryman, Bob & Nancy Fortner, Dave Bristow, Hajni Joslyn, and Ollie & Janice Pedersen.
Special thanks to our sponsors whosesupport helps bring this well-loved, community event to fruition for Bainbridge Island and its visitors. Their support is a recognition of the human creative spirit and a willingness to foster creativity in others. Bringing works of handmde art into holiday gift-giving returns us to a grassroots, homespun Bainbridge Island country Christmas. It is a connection person to person with our neighbors and their works of art rekindling a true community spirit and celebration. Their support benefits many Christmas in the Country participants: artists, authors, musicians, small business entreprenuers, cottage industries, and nonprofits. Please give our sponsorsyour patronage and support in return. We are truly thankful for their partnership.
Greetings from our Director
Sharon Soames, Director
We at Christmas in the Country encourage you to take this creative journey and enjoy a very fun-filled and unique weekend on Bainbridge Island full of merry memories.
May you have a very Merry Christmas in the Country!
Sharon Soames, Founder and Director Christmas in the Country LLC (206) 842-6883 chrisincountry@aol.com
