By Morgan Bryce
Editor
Beat the stress and hassle of last-minute Christmas shopping two months in advance during the Village Event Center’s third-annual “Christmas Village” event Oct. 25 and 26.
Since helping start the event in 2017, the venue’s event manager Craig McCullough said the event has not only grown in shoppers, but also participating vendors, with increases of 20 to 25% each year.
As of last week, 65 vendors were already confirmed, and McCullough said he expects that number to swell to 80 by market weekend.
“Items that will be for sale will range anywhere between decor and gift ideas, and (the event) will feature a lot of local craftsmen and artisans,” McCullough said.
The venue’s website listed some specific items for sale, including baked goods, boutique clothing, Christmas tree stands, coffee, handbags and totes, handmade soaps, hand-painted arts and crafts, personal health care products and more.
While parents shop, children 12 and under can enjoy a designated “children’s corner” with Christmas-themed activities.
McCullough said he and fellow event organizer Jennifer Hostetter choose a different organization to assist each year, with last year’s beneficiary being the BigHouse Foundation. Portions from this year’s event will benefit Women’s Hope Medical Clinic in Auburn, an organization “that provides accurate and helpful information in a compassionate environment, to empower life-affirming choices that change lives.”
The market is open from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 25 (Friday) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 (Saturday). Admission is $3 per person.
For more information, call 334-500-2878, like and follow the venue’s social media pages or visit www.villageeventcenter.com. The Village Event Center is located at 804 Columbus Parkway.