Brickworks to hold first winter festival and market
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Submitted by Candace Jagel & Amy Plant
San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild
Brickworks is organizing the first Brickworks Winter Festival and Market to take place Dec. 2 through 4. The event will begin on Friday evening, after the town of Friday Harbor tree lighting ceremony, continue through Saturday (including the farmers market), and end on Sunday evening. We are calling all farm, craft and confectionary vendors who wish to participate in this magical holiday extravaganza.
The vision for the event is inspired by traditional European Christmas markets. We plan to evoke a bustling and festive winter village atmosphere inside Brickworks and on the plaza, with small rustic huts, trees, lights, an open fire and decorations. Farm, food and craft vendors selling Christmas-themed dishes, drinks and creations will fill the plaza and building. Santa and his elves will provide fun activities for kids and adults, and local musicians will entertain with carols, bell ringing and more. There will be food and a beer and wine garden. Market hours will be Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though entertainment and other activities will continue beyond those times.
This first Winter Festival and Market has received some support from the town of Friday Harbor Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funding. The event will be marketed to locals and tourists with help from the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau.
We are soliciting vendors for the market and hope you may be interested in this fun and potentially lucrative opportunity. Vendors will be selected by jury. All market items must be hand-crafted in San Juan County and fit with the old-fashioned Christmas theme. Ideas include wreaths, garlands, toys, decorations, beautiful household items, furniture, textiles, knit wear, ceramics, candles and holders, and delicious Christmas cookies and candies. Food vendors might consider roasted chestnuts, soups, breads, mincemeat pies and other winter foods.
Vendors are asked to dress in old-fashioned peasant costumes, like long dresses or skirts with petticoats and shawls for women and vests or jackets with button-down shirts for men (plus hats or caps couldn’t hurt). Vendor booths must be decorated for the season, including with lights and greenery. Booth displays must be abundant and attractive.
We hope you can envision the spirit and look of the event we are working to create. You may even be familiar with Christmas markets in Europe. For inspiration, you might google “European Christmas markets.” There are many websites with delectable photos. If you have any questions and further ideas for the event, please contact Amy at info@fhbrickworks.com.
