The smell of retail is in the air!

'Tis the season to be shopping, so reward those on your "nice" list with fabulous finds at the Junior League of Pensacola's 22nd annual Marketbasket at the Pensacola Civic Center.

The four-day shopping extravaganza begins with a Preview Gala on Wednesday; the sale continues Thursday through Saturday.

"I'd advise people to put on their shopping shoes," Michelle Newcomer, Marketbasket chairwoman, warned with a laugh. "There's a lot to see."

Need to find the perfect present for the hard-to-please person on your holiday gift list? You're sure to find it at Marketbasket, which will feature more than 60 vendors, both local and national, offering everything from bath goods to gourmet treats.

"There will be a variety of unique boutique items," Michelle Lee, Junior League president, explained. "We've even got a vendor offering personalized nail files. Definitely something different."

Lee said the annual event attracts up to 5,500 visitors. Proceeds from the sale go to the Junior League of Pensacola and its service projects, such as its foster care initiative which involves foster children in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, she explained.

"Marketbasket is a very important fundraiser for the League," Lee said. "Every year, we bring in new vendors and unique new products."

But the popular event offers more than great gift ideas and stocking stuffers.

Marketbasket guests can have holiday photos taken with Santa Claus, care of Debby's Creative Photography; vie for more than 100 silent auction packages or try their luck in the Holiday Drawing held on Saturday afternoon for prizes including LASIK corrective eye surgery and a Garmin GPS system. Tickets for the drawing are available at the League office or from any League Member for $3 each or two for $5.

Newcomer said that Marketbasket can't promise something for everyone on your gift list, "but just about everyone, so come downtown and get shopping."