The Union County Farmers Market was transformed into a one-stop shop with the annual Kris Kringle Market on Saturday, Dec. 6, joining in the day’s widespread Christmas celebrations throughout the county.
With a little something for all ages and tastes, the market offered a wide variety of handmade goods and even some produce to pick out despite being outside of the annual growing season.
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Apples and oranges, for example, made perfect classic Christmas gifts, but cabbage and collards also proved popular. Hot breakfast biscuits and barbecues were available courtesy of Blairsville Restaurant, and some vendors sold warm drinks like coffee, hot cocoa and apple cider.
More popular than the food, however, were the crafts. Local artists and small businesses came to advertise their wares – or spread awareness as much as Christmas cheer, as was the case with the Towns-Union Master Gardener Association.
“We make these from all things natural,” explained Meredith Rose, referring to the array of ornaments that her fellows made from okra pods, leaves, acorns, feathers and more. “We love this event because (the ornaments) are all so unique and people really enjoy coming.”
“Our fundraisers end up going back to the community,” Lori Rozanski added. “It’s all about educating the community about plants and gardening … as well as beautifying the town.”
Terry Gault, Kelly Sulser, Barb Wagner, Kathy Jesdahl and Bonnie Reno have been friends for about eight years, and all of them have made a tradition of coming to the Kris Kringle Market for the past five years and getting some Christmas shopping done.
This time, however, Reno made a special acquisition for her expansive Christmas display. Partially tucked in a shopping bag and carried securely under Reno’s arm was a charming Santa figurine dressed in a warm fur coat.
“I was ready to walk away; they wouldn’t let me,” Reno said, with Gault teasing that “her house is like the mini-Biltmore.” Reno plans to place him on her kitchen island to liven up a section of her home that hasn’t been decorated yet.
That said, the man in red himself walked up and down each of the Farmers Market buildings, ringing a bell, handing out candy canes and striking up conversation with visitors. One girl was complimented on her cozy gloves, and even older guests were wished a merry Christmas.
Meanwhile, Holly Williams turned heads with her fantastic needle-felted critters, cozy scarves and healing salves. Thanks to her alpaca herd – currently 35 strong – she gathers fleece, which is sent to a mill and eventually finds its way back to her as fiber to be manipulated in many different ways to create art and fashion.
Lasso the Moon was established 25 years ago in Blairsville, and Williams herself has been teaching classes on her craft for 19 years. Although she took a break from shows for six years, she recently stepped back into vending and enjoyed success at the Kris Kringle Market that day.
In front of the Canning Plant, a kids’ area was set aside to provide little elves some playtime. The bouncy house just about always had someone tumbling around inside. But the real draw was the Santa Train, which carried little ones – and sometimes reassuring parents and grandparents – on a tour around the Farmers Market.
The Woody Gap Band of Steel came over from Suches to perform some Caribbean-flavored Christmas tunes all the way from the lively “Little Saint Nick” to the slow and peaceful “Silent Night.” They drew quite the crowd with their performance – including Santa himself – who danced, swayed, clapped or sang along.
Imagine Daniel Todd’s surprise when, as a native Trinidadian, he visited the Kris Kringle Market with his family and heard his country’s national instrument.
“What are the chances? You wouldn’t think that something like this would be here in Blairsville, Georgia. I literally played this instrument in high school; it was mandatory,” Todd fondly recalled, relating to the band: “We did this.”
“It’s just not something you usually see,” agreed Todd’s wife, Brianna, who was glad that they had come up from Florida to visit the mountains with their two young sons, Ethan and Wyatt.
Angie and Glenn Guidry were enjoying listening to the Band of Steel after a successful day of Christmas shopping for their kids.
“We just wanted to see what was here and get some ideas for Christmas gifts,” admitted Angie, with Glenn noting that they found “quite a few things.” Despite gifting their family some meaningful items, both were anticipating a cozy Christmas together at their home and were happy to support their community after moving to the base of Blood Mountain.
“I think (the Kris Kringle Market is) awesome,” Glenn said. “I’m very surprised to see how many vendors and how many guests are out because it’s chilly out. It’s gray weather, but it’s nice because everybody’s supporting the community.”
