Francestown’s traditional Holiday Market will return to the Town Hall horse sheds on Saturday, Dec. 6 as part of a full weekend of holiday celebrations in town.
“We’ll have 23 vendors in the sheds this year–we’ll have artists, artisans, makers, and crafters, and they’re all local, ” said organizer Pam Berry.
The market will be followed by the December Francestown Academy Coffeehouse at 7 p.m., featuring Wendy Keith and her Alleged Band and other artists. For a complete lineup, visit francestowncoffeehouse.org/.
On Sunday night, the Francestown Improvement and Historical Society will host the town’s annual tree lighting on the town common.
“It is a whole holiday weekend in Francestown,” Berry said.
Berry, who launched Francestown’s Holiday Market in 2023, says she was inspired by the popular German Christmas markets that are held across northern Europe in the holiday season.
“We have this perfect venue, right in the middle of town, with the sheds that are a little bit sheltered, and we have no end of local artists and people who want to share their work,” Berry said. “It’s a continuation of our summer farmers’ market. People have really loved and supported the market; it’s become a wonderful tradition in town.”
Santa will be arriving at the Town Hall at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
This year’s event includes an indoor food court with community seating inside the Town Hall and live music by Stillwater Duo with Brian Murphy and Jack Nailor.
“We have so many fun new things this year,” Berry said. “The Francestown Elementary School PTO will be running a hot cocoa bar, we’ll have homemade German-style pretzels, including gluten-free, and we’ll have a couple making authentic German food.”
Food vendors include Theo’s Deutsche Kuche, which will be offering bratwurst, hot dogs, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, and hot mulled cider; Kringle Cookies, offering classic German cookies & treats; Well Proofed bakery, which will have sourdough breads, cinnamon cakes and cookies; and The Cupcake Porium, offering a variety of gluten-free baked goods, mini cakes and cookies.
According to Berry, the market always has a mix of local art, crafts, and handmade products, from jewelry and soaps to gifts for pets.
“It’s a great place to find gifts, shop local, support your local artists, farmers, and small businesses in town,” Berry said. “You don’t need to leave Francestown to get some great Christmas shopping done.”
Berry says the outdoor market will have some heaters this year where shoppers can warm up.
“Last year was really cold,” she said. “This year the Fire Department said we can have some heaters.”
Bob’s Chocolate Cafe, across the street from the Town Hall, will also be open for people to warm up and grab a hot beverage.
New vendors at this year’s market include Allison Gregorio, who makes handmade soaps, lotion bars and scrubs; Allyssa Parsons, potter, who also sells her handmade quilts; Ethereal Roots gift and bath items; Greenfield Apple Box, which creates wooden solar luminaries, planters and laser crafts; J & D Creations, who make wood and resin clocks/serving trays; Lyn Lull, an artist who creates oil paintings, catnip toys and holiday decorations; New Hope Wellness, which offers paintings, crocheted items, and fabric wrapping paper; Red Brick Farm, which offers holiday home decor and gifts; Samantha Lanzillotti, an artist who creates re-usable fabric wrapping paper and hand-painted ornaments, and Trussedfun’d Jewelry, offering jewelry made using natural wood and stone elements.
Meteorologist, podcaster, and Francestown resident Cyrena Arnold will be selling her children’s books, “The Weather Story with Frances Fox,” “The Hurricane Story with Frances Fox,” and her latest book, “The Tornado Story, with Frances Fox and Taylor Turtle.”
Vendors returning to the market this year include Francestown’s Carbee Farms, which will be selling fresh greenery decor and homemade jams and chutneys. Frogton Pond Horse Farm, also located in Francestown, will have handmade sketchbooks, paintings, textile bags, ornaments and stickers. Other vendors include Jems by Jeri, which will have a variety of stone jewelry and other handmade items; Jim’s Jewelry Boxes, with handcrafted wooden jewelry boxes; Lily’s Loops, crocheted plushies and home decor; Little Felt Creations, which sells felt and wood ornaments, Night Owl Rustics, LLC, a purveyor of rustic wood home deco; and Paige Makes That, with beaded pens, keychains, bookmarks, bracelets, and earrings.
Susanna Miles will be back with her Smiles Glass Art, and Woodworks by Steve will have a limited supply of birchwood reindeer and unique wooden charcuterie boards.
Berry will be selling her own “Cards by Pam,” including handcrafted greeting cards, stationery items, and small stocking stuffers, and Simple Pleasures Chocolate will be selling handmade molded chocolates.
“We hope everyone will come out for the market, see their neighbors, socialize, and support our community,” Berry said. “It’s a really special thing for Francestown.”
