Western Sustainability Exchange’s 13th annual Holiday Farmers Market is returning to the Livingston Civic Center on Saturday, December 1st, from 9am–4pm. This shopping extravaganza will feature 37 booths with local artists, jewelers, craftspeople, bakers, and artisans. Admission is free to the public, and WSE’s booth will be holding drawings for free door prizes as well as selling raffle tickets for prize packages full of products from the market’s vendors.
The ever-popular Santa Paws will return to pose for pictures with pets and kids of all ages to benefit Stafford Animal Shelter. Chloe’s Barkery will be nearby so dogs can get a treat after their photo-ops with Santa. Doggies’ parents can get people treats from Crust & Crumb Bakery or Chef’s Table, who will be selling breakfast and lunch foods along with coffee, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, soda, and snacks.
“We call this event a one-stop shopping extravaganza because of the variety of quality, handmade products offered, many of which are one-of-a-kind creations that would make unique gifts,” Farmers Market Manager Miranda Bly explains. The market offers a variety of jewelry crafted from silver, copper, glass, leather, and gem stones. Mountain Maiden Naturals sells luxury bath and body products that are handmade in Tom Minor Basin. Ikennits offers hand-knitted hats, scarves, and headbands, while Global Midwife Education Foundation sells alpaca and llama wool blankets and apparel.
There will be plenty of artists represented as well. Raised by Wolves Studios will sell handmade soft sculpture dolls, original fine art, prints, and cards. Culpepper Photography will have matted and framed prints of gorgeous photos. Sagebrush Ceramics makes stoneware pottery inspired by birds and the outdoors. Tracy Isaly vends handcrafted bags, pillows and other treasures that usually sell out before the end of the day.
For the foodies, Red Hen’s booth will have scrumptious jams and jellies for sale, and Bozeman Oil & Vinegar will bring gourmet vinegars, flavored olive oils, pastas, olives, and gift baskets. G Street Farms will have local Livingston honey along with hand-crafted jewelry and pottery.
For kids, there will be handmade toy booths along with books being sold by Elk River Books and Yellowstone Gateway Museum, who will also have glasses, hats and a kids’ activity at their booth. Parents can drop their children off at the stage, where they can make holiday sweatshirts under the supervision of City of Livingston staff members.
Bly adds, “Livingston and Bozeman are full of such talented artists and crafters. Our motto is ‘buy local, buy quality, and invest in your community’ because by supporting local events like this, you not only help these vendors who are your neighbors, but you help the local economy by keeping your holiday shopping dollars here in Livingston.”
For over fifteen years, Western Sustainability Exchange has organized the Livingston Farmers Market. WSE is a sustainable development nonprofit based in Livingston, Montana. WSE’s mission is to advance sustainable choices throughout the region to enhance the rural economy and to preserve the landscape and lifestyle of the West for generations to come. To learn more about WSE’s programs, visit www.westernsustainabilityexchange.org
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