Christmas in the Country December 8 & 9
Kathy Clayton
The Ashland Beacon
Shoppers have another opportunity to shop local this weekend at the third annual Christmas in the Country event, sponsored by the Greenup County Farmers Market. The market is open from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The market is located on RT. 1 in Greenup County on the right just past Imel’s Greenhouse.
“We’ll have 64 vendors set up in four high tunnels, selling their goods,” said Teresa Walters, president of the Greenup County Farmers Market (GCFM). “Everything is handmade, homemade, or homegrown,” she said.
While the free event is primarily focused on selling locally created goods, there will also be entertainment. “There’s a living nativity, live music, and food trucks. The bookmobile will be there with someone to read stories to the kids, and PopTart the Donkey will be there.”
There will also be handmade wreaths on display for a silent auction. “People really enjoy it,” Walters noted. “Over 1,000 came through last year. We all enjoy sharing Christmas with the community.”
She explained that the origins of the market grew out of the fundraising efforts to create a dedicated building for the Greenup County Farmers Market’s summer market. “A group of people from GCFM started it (the Christmas market) to raise funding for the building. After we got a grant for the building, it needed a concrete floor so money is going for that.” Walters also said some of the funds are used to for marketing and to pay a market manager. “We sent the market manager for training, and we use some money for signage.”
The event has become so popular that vendor spots sell out, and there is a waiting list. “It’s open to anyone in the tri-state,” Walters continued, “but we fill up fast. Applications open up in July, if you want in for next year, but you might be on the waitlist.” She recommended that interested vendors join the Greenup County Farmers Market Facebook page to see announcement for upcoming events.
“The Christmas Market is just a really great event to promote our locally-made goods,” Walters concluded. “We hope to see a lot of people out shopping and enjoying the country Christmas atmosphere.”
