The twinkle of fairy lights and the laughter of families and friends filled Crawford Depot this past weekend as the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Christmas Marketplace.
The marketplace has been a tradition within the county for over a decade, bringing together the community and local businesses for Christmas. The three-day event featured an assortment of locally handcrafted products, from Christmas gifts and decorations to home decor and food.
Linda Parish, office manager of the Chamber of Commerce, along with other members of the board, organized the event.
“I love it,” she said. “It is a fun time for everyone to come together and get ready for Christmas.”
For some businesses, this weekend kicked off their first showcase at the marketplace, but for all, it marked the beginning of their Christmas celebrations.
Vincent’s Place
Heather Santerineross is the owner and developer of the nonprofit Vincent’s Place, where “animals and human animals” can be welcomed into “a safe and healing place,” she said.
Vincent’s Place is currently being built in Colbert, and Santerineross hopes to be finished early next year. It will be home to rescued goats and will offer the community “the healing aspects of animal therapy.”
This was Santerineross’ first time at the event, and she spread the word about her cause and raised money to complete her project by selling Vincent’s Place T-shirts and goat-related pins.
“My family is from Denmark, and Christmas Eve is our big day,” Santerineross said. “And since I don’t have family locally, I spend the holidays with my chosen family, where we decorate the tree and spend time with one another. That time is so important to me.”
All about the wreaths
Another first-timer at the event was Shannon Frye, owner of All about the Wreaths. She began her business three years ago because she finds “doing crafts like this therapeutic and relaxing.”
Frye sold Christmas and UGA-themed wreaths, along with Christmas ornaments at the marketplace.
The holiday season is Frye’s busiest time of year, but she always makes time to celebrate with family.
“I love watching Christmas parades, they’re so fun and bring everyone together,” said Frye.
North Georgia Pecan Co.
Monica Gravenor, general operations manager of North Georgia Pecan Co., and daughter Shia Oliverio spent their weekend selling their locally-sourced pecans, honey and jams.
The company sold chocolate-covered pecans and regular pecans, Allie Bee’s honey and a variety of Mama Marf’s jams.
North Georgia Pecan Co. has been open since 1946, and kick starts its holiday operations the first week of every November.
Gravenor and Oliverio’s holiday season is also marked by a specific family tradition.
“I love very old Christmas books,” Gravenor said. “I read them so much as a kid, and want my girls to read them too, especially with everyone using their phones now, reading books is so important and will always be a tradition.”
Circle Heart 16
Debra Satterlee, the owner of Circle Heart 16, utilizes her business to sell handmade clothing and crafts from quilts. A variety of her products — jackets, overalls, ornaments, and baskets — are made from quilts.
Satterlee has had her business for years, and she has come to the marketplace many times as a way to get ready for the holidays.
“I love Christmas,” she said. “My favorite part is making traditional Italian food with my family — it never gets old.”