TOMORROW'S Home-Grown Alternatives (HGA) "made in Bermuda" will provide local shoppers with the seventh annual opportunity to Buy Bermuda as the Christmas season approaches.

The seventh annual HGA will be held at St. Paul's Christian Education Centre in Paget, starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m. Ruth Thomas will officially open the event. A series of draws will include prizes of gifts, a weekend at Stonington Beach, dinners and gift vouchers.

The HGA concept was Mary Tatem's brainchild. She met Christine Wellman on the hotel circuit at the "Sonesta Cottage Industries Fair" and asked Mrs. Wellman if the two of them could organise their own fair, for homegrown alternatives to non-Bermudian goods.

Husband David Wellman of O-Max was brought on board to create the group's image and branding. The HGA shopping bag logo has become the trademark for the annual event.

Historically, after artists had sold on the hotel circuit and during Harbour and Heritage Nights, there was no other collective selling opportunity. HGA changed that as artists and craftspeople began to realise the workability of the concept. The first HGA was held in the Admiralty House ballroom on a blustery, rainy November Saturday in 1995. A total of 18 vendors took part. Ms Tatem made chili and Mrs. Wellman made soup. Other participants secured coffee and tea, as well as home-made rolls, to feed the vendors, since there were no lunch facilities nearby.

All subsequent events have been held at St. Paul's Christian Education Centre in Paget, except for 2000, when HGA participated in the St. George's Christmas Festival debut.

HGA has always been held indoors in order to facilitate creating a Christmas ambiance, which is heightened by Andrew Chamberlain's A Street Full of Christmas CD and the live entertainment from talented local musicians.

"Shine" Hayward made his debut at the event in 1996 and has been ever-present since. He is scheduled to appear tomorrow, along with appearances by vocalist Merlin Morris and others.

A complimentary service to customers features HGA speciality gift wrappers Helena Pipe of Mount St. Agnes and Whitney Darrell of Warwick Academy, who will be working with recycled wrapping paper and alternative, natural accessories.