LEAGUE CITY – Despite rainy weather, people turned out for the Sunset Bazaar at Walding Station on Saturday, July 11. The event drew such a large crowd that organizers made new arrangements to ensure everyone had enough space.

The bazaar featured dozens of vendors, food options including handmade personal pizzas and viral Dubai chocolate strawberries, and even a free raffle. One lucky attendee walked away with the grand prize.

“I’m in charge of the free door prize. A little bit of all the vendors put into a pot, and one winner takes all. A little something just to give back to the community coming out and supporting us small business folks,” Eric Carlson said.

For some vendors, such as Dayba Creations, the event reflects a new business model. After previously operating from a physical storefront, owner Emmy Rubio said the business has shifted to selling through community events and local markets.

“People can find us at local markets. If they follow us on Facebook and Instagram, they’ll be able to see the monthly calendar that we post. We do a lot of downtown events, have our products in multiple stores in Deer Park, League City, Houston and Seabrook, and you can shop online,” Rubio said.

She added that one of the company’s newest products has ties to another vendor at the bazaar.

“Our newest product is our freeze-dried jalapeño brittle, and we source that from another small business here at the bazaar,” Rubio said.

Other vendors had the opportunity to showcase their creativity.

“We make dessert candles that look realistic and smell just like they look. Some of them take about two to three hours, while others take 30 minutes, depending on which ones and how many I’m making,” said Vera Williams, owner of Sugar Rush Candles.

The event also featured award-winning sauce maker Chef Joey Cibulski, creator of Spaghetti Sauce Bomb. Cibulski said the company has a standing guarantee that customers can return the sauce if it causes stomach pain. According to Cibulski, they have not had a single return in nearly a year.

“We won our back-to-back championships at the Little Italy Festival. We go for championship number three in a row in November. We’re pretty confident we’re going to win that because, at the last contest we won, one of the nine judges came up to us and said, for the record, no other team even got a vote,” Cibulski said.

The event featured many food options, but a standout for many visitors was the handmade pizzas from Slab and Spice Pizza Company.

“It’s been very busy today,” said co-owner Steven Eale.

“The rain has not kept people away, so we’re super thankful for it,” added fellow co-owner Bailey Eale.

The business is also expanding its menu.

“On Sunday next week, we’re starting our first brunch service. It will be a pizzeria-inspired brunch menu, so it’s a little different than what we’ve taken anywhere else. We’re excited,” Steven Eale said.

The vendors featured at the bazaar can also be found at other local events and through their online shops.

The next bazaar will be held July 25 at 5001 E. NASA Road 1 in Seabrook. The next Sunset Bazaar at Walding Station is scheduled for Aug. 8 at 100 Perkins Ave. in League City.