If you are looking for some fun, creative and unique holiday gifts for your loved ones, Leader Publications has an event for you.
The Leader Holiday Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Festus Elementary School, 1500 Mid-Meadow Lane, in Festus. Parking and admission are free.
“If you haven’t kicked off your holiday shopping yet, this will be the perfect place to do it,” said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, Leader digital marketing manager. “If you have a particularly hard person to shop for, this is a good place to find something unique and special.”
Products will include freeze-dried candy, chocolate truffles, permanent jewelry, candles, 3D printed fidgets, crocheted stuffed animals, flavored coffee, sugar scrubs, children’s books, hand-crafted vases and more.
Vendor booths quickly sold out.
“All 47 vendor spaces have been sold,” Skaggs said. “We’re thrilled to feature and highlight so many wonderful small businesses in our community.”
The event will be spread out among the school’s gym, cafeteria and atrium. Skaggs estimated about 90 percent of the vendors are small businesses and crafters from Jefferson County.
“There are so many awesome people making amazing hand-crafted things who don’t have a brick-and-mortar store,” she said. “We want to be able to highlight them. We will provide an event and a space for them to show off what they have and for the community to get some pretty sweet holiday gifts.”
In addition to shopping, there will be music, free photos with Santa and an opportunity to purchase food from La Pachanga Mexican Restaurant’s food truck parked outside during the event.
From 10-11 a.m., Patrick Baker from String Sorcery Guitar School in Festus will perform while walking around the holiday market.
Santa Claus will be there during the entire event to have his pictures taken with shoppers and their children. Kenzie Lynne Photography will take photos for free and email copies to those who have them taken.
For more information about the holiday market, email katelynmary@myleaderpaper.com or visit the event page on Facebook.