ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Those looking for some good late summer shopping bargains will soon have just that opportunity.

The 2026 Bazaar Days will take place Friday, July 24 (with some stores opening early) and Saturday, July 25, with the stores operating during their regular hours. Any business in the community interested in participating in this year's Bazaar Days can call the Chamber of Commerce office at (620) 624-3855.

“We're also wanting to have a list of all the participating businesses so we have those lists at the participating stores and customers can have a shopping list, so to speak, of where to go that weekend,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rozelle Webb said. “Restaurants are also welcome to offer specials for Bazaar Days so shoppers can have something special to eat those two days. We encourage businesses, if you have items you've had for a while, and you would like to have a chance to get those out the door quicker, then Bazaar Days is a really good time to do that.”

Webb said Bazaar Days is a great opportunity for local businesses.

“We do Bazaar Days so the businesses can have a chance to sell the items they may have had on the shelf a while, along with items that they have currently in their business,” Webb said. We also encourage participating businesses to put some merchandise out on the sidewalk so shoppers can tell easily tell they are participating. This year we will have Bazaar Days signs we will put in front of the stores that are participating. The first 16 stores that sign up will get a sign, and that will help to tell people they are participating. The signs also help because when people are driving down the street and want to know who's doing Bazaar Days, it's very easy for the customer to tell when there's merchandise out on the sidewalk.”

Webb said she is excited for this year’s Bazaar Days fun.

“Bazaar Days is here to help businesses and customers alike, which is great. I'm excited to see people come to Liberal from out of town and help our merchants sell some of their wares they're wanting to move out of their store – a lot of places are already preparing for the next season's collection(s), so this is a great time for them to do that,” Webb said. “I'm happy to be able to host the Bazaar Days for our businesses. This is good for back-to-school shopping and regular summer shopping. Sometimes shopping is not as busy as in the summer as it is in the spring and fall, so it gives businesses a chance to have, have more customers come in.”

Along with the businesses, Webb said Bazaar Days is also good for the customers.

“Bargains are always great, so it's always great for shoppers to find that item they were looking for at a discount. We've already had several calls from people out of town asking when Bazaar Days will be and who all will be participating, and I love getting those calls every year,” Webb said. “And like I say every year, Bazaar Days is also a great way to introduce yourself to a store you haven't been in before and see what all they have to offer. The more businesses that participate, more likely people will come to town, because there will be a lot of businesses to go shop at, so I would encourage people to come from in town and out of town to come and see what all is available. It's just a great shopping day. People are always looking for good bargains, so I think we'll see a lot of people out and about shopping and seeing what deals they can come away with from that weekend.”

Overall, Webb said, she is looking forward to seeing how this year’s Bazaar Days shapes up.

“Like I said, everyone loves a good bargain, so that's what keeps a lot of people coming back. I know shopping has changed in the past few years in terms of being able to order things online, but there's nothing like actually going into a store and seeing what you're shopping for up close and in person,” Webb said. “These are our local businesses that support the town and all the various activities that go on, so since they support us, we should support them. Like every year, we just invite everyone to come to Liberal and look for some good bargains at our amazing businesses. We already have some local businesses signed up to participate for this year, and we expect more, so people should have a good list of places where they can go shopping.”