Sarah ArnoldOn Saturday, December 7th, the Holiday Marietta Marketplace will take place on the second floor of the Armory from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. bringing with it nearly 50 regional artists, creators, and makers to sell their wares to visitors from across the Mid-Ohio Valley community.
“The Holiday Marietta Marketplace is sponsored by Washington State Community College this year, and it is truly an event that hits at the heart of what’s great about our local community. When individuals come out and support local makers, in a downtown with local businesses, and support the dreams and creative aspirations of local artists, that’s when our communities grow the strongest,” said Sarah Arnold, founder of Clutch MOV who is hosting this first-time event.
This year’s Holiday Marketplace welcomes dozens of talented vendors from across the states of Ohio and West Virginia, reaching as far as Fairmont, West Virginia and Canton, Ohio and beyond. Visitors can expect home décor, homemade soaps, jewelry, and handmade accessories, paintings and photography, greeting cards, tote bags, pottery, freshly baked goodies, and much more.
We normally have to travel for events of this caliber and we just feel so honored to be welcomed back to such a fantastic environment!
Lyndsey Pinkerton, Owner of Perfectly Pink, participated in the summer markets this year and last and is looking forward to setting up at the Holiday Market on the 7th. “Perfectly Pink is so excited to have such an awesome event so close to home!” said Pinkerton. “We normally have to travel for events of this caliber and we just feel so honored to be welcomed back to such a fantastic environment! Grab your best pals and head on over to the Holiday Marietta Marketplace.”
Returning vendors include local artisans like Stone Petals Pottery, Heartmade Candle Co., Cornerstone Homestead soaps, Fabric & Flora, Handmade Jewelry by Vickie, and Brown’s Home Designs, as well as regional vendors like Poor Sparrow, a Columbus-based jewelry maker, and Letterpress Jess and Little Chicago Clothing Co., who co-own a shop in Canton, OH.
Thanks to the partnership of the City of Marietta, the Holiday Marketplace will take place in the gymnasium at the Armory. The venue is extra festive with the 25′ tall Christmas tree on the front lawn and decor adorning its historic facade. Lyndsay Biehl of Wildroot Flower Co. will be making the marketplace merry and bright with two handmade wreaths, which will be raffled off to two lucky shoppers on Saturday.
In addition to uplifting local and regional makers, the Holiday Marietta Marketplace serves as a fundraiser for Marietta Main Street, the nonprofit responsible for revitalization in Downtown Marietta – and for the wonderful holiday decor twinkling throughout the city.
It’s vital to remember our local makers, creatives, and small businesses.
“It’s important year-round to support area makers and creatives, but especially during the holiday season when consumerism is at an all-time high, it’s vital to remember our local makers, creatives, and small businesses,” said Cristie Thomas, Interim Executive Director of Marietta Main Street. “Every single purchase made with a local business owner is a contribution towards the stimulation of our local economies; the return on that investment is far greater than any purchase at the big box.”
Thanks to event sponsor Washington State Community College, the first 300 shoppers to the Great Marietta Marketplace will walk away with a free bag of goodies, including exclusive discounts and gifts from businesses in downtown Marietta.
To learn more about this event and to access a full list of this year’s vendors, hop on over to the event’s webpage!