Community Consumerism
The first annual Holiday Market Jubilee.
On December 5, the first-ever Holiday Market Jubilee took place at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. The event featured 87 local vendors and was organized to benefit the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. With great Christmas shopping, food, family events, and local artisans, everyone was in the holiday spirit. A canned food item was accepted as admission, or $2, which went to Town and Country Foods to buy goods—Town and Country agreed to match this amount as well. The Lewis and Clark Motel and Owenhouse Ace Hardware also helped sponsor the event. All of the proceeds went to the Food Bank.
Saturday morning, the exhibit buildings at the fairgrounds were standing room-only, full of people looking for great Christmas shopping. Vendors offered jewelry, clothing, pottery, and various other handmade items. Lyndsey Lalicker organized the event with the help of friends and family. Lalicker’s selfless, giving grandmother was her inspiration. When asked why she chose to organize this kind of event, Lalicker explained, “To help the Food Bank out and help those who have less.”
Live music made the space even more festive. Frances Stewart, Bob Nell, Eddie T, and Dean Prince came together to play jazz and keep the attendees of the Holiday Jubilee entertained. The family-centered event also included winter-land photos, a reindeer toss for the kids, ornament painting, and holiday refreshments.
Another goal was to give local artisans a place to sell their products. All three of the exhibit buildings were full, and more vendors wanted to participate than there was room for. Vendors were charged a lower rate than would typically be expected, all in the spirit of giving and fostering community participation.
Cassandra Lowell set up a booth to sell the jewelry she makes from vintage marbles. She explained that it can be hard for artists to put themselves out there but was happy she decided to participate. “It’s great to get out here and let people see what I do.”
Lalicker plans to organize the event again next year explaining, “The response from the community has been amazing.” Bookmark the Holiday Market Jubilee’s website to keep track for next year’s event.
