Tie-dyed long johns greeted shoppers at the annual Bizarre Bazaar on Saturday.

The decorative undergarments hung at the entrance of the exhibition where 137 local artists showed off their work to eager buyers.

Pat Kehde passed on the undies, but instead purchased an oversized papier-mâche tadpole for her husband.

“It hangs on the wall,” she said. “My husband’s a fisherman; he’s going to love it.”

Kehde said she attends the bazaar each year and was among the first of about 3,000 shoppers whom organizers expected to attend the one-day event.

“It’s important to be here without the crowds and it’s important to get the best stuff,” Kehde said.

But within 30 minutes of opening, all three floors of the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., were packed with people.

“It’s a crowded place,” said Kris Barlow, who has coordinated the bazaar for five years. “It’s bigger this year than ever.”

Barlow said the event began in a house 17 years ago, where a group of six women, now known as “the mothers,” sold their art to friends.

“It just grew and grew,” she said.

Barlow’s hand-painted 40-watt light bulbs and champagne glasses were among the socks, Christmas tree ornaments, scarves, coasters, artwork, jewelry, greeting cards, ceramics, candles, paintings and hats being sold.

“A lot of unique stuff,” Barlow said.

She said the event, which is held every year on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, is open to all artists.

“I’ve recently tried to more seriously pursue art, and so this is kind of my first little stepping stone to doing that,” said Jill Zinn, who was among more than 20 artists who were first-year sellers. “It’s a non-intimidating art show.”

Zinn sold nature-themed coasters and scarves she made with a long-arm quilting machine.

“I’m trying to find more ways to express myself as an artist,” she said between customers.

Many customers were buying unique Christmas presents for friends and family. Others were being selfish. But everyone appeared to be amazed as they gawked at the surfeit of abnormal artwork.

“Things here are always so unique and really fun,” said shopper Sue Givens.