The Arnold Farmers Market held its second annual Christmas Market Dec. 10, helping about 3,000 customers get some holiday shopping finished, said Teresa Kohut, Arnold Parks and Recreation superintendent and market manager.
She said 55 vendors were selling items at the market located near the entrance of Arnold City Park.
“We are pretty happy about that,” Kohut said. “That is a good total for us for people at a winter market.”
Along with shopping, customers were treated to performances by musicians Zuri Zuniga, Dennis Oliver and Austin James, and two Girl Scout troops sang Christmas carols.
The Christmas Market also featured an appearance by Santa Claus, who arrived riding a tractor from Stuckmeyer’s Farm Market and Greenhouse in unincorporated Fenton.
“The Arnold Police were there. They blocked the road and gave Santa a police escort from the end of the park into the Farmers Market. That was a lot of fun, and it added to the excitement for the kids,” Kohut said.
Later in the day, Santa was available for photos with children and pets.
Kohut said the photos were free but the market accepted donations and collected $48 that went to the city’s general revenue fund.
She also said volunteers handed out Christmas crafts to children.
Kohut said the best part of the day for her was seeing so many customers at the market.
“I like seeing the vendors doing well and having the market full of people,” she said.
Arnold will hold five more winter markets with the next one scheduled for 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Markets also will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. on Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11 and April 8.
“This is the third year we are having winter markets,” Kohut said. “Most of the time we have a fairly full market. We average between 30 to 40 vendors. They are usually really well attended.”
Kohut said the Arnold Farmers Market added 13 more vendor spaces this year, for a total of 55 for both the regular season, which ran from May 3 through Oct. 22, and the Christmas markets.
“We were able to use almost all of the booths every weekend (during the regular season). That was nice,” Kohut said. “We certainly enjoyed increased interest in the market. We are very excited about that.”
Arnold charges vendors $250 to rent a space for the entire season, $50 to rent a booth for one month or $15 for one week. The Christmas Market rental fee is $25.
For more information about the market, call 636-282-6686 or email Kohut at tkohut@arnoldmo.org.