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With snow on the mountains and leaves falling from trees, the holiday season is getting closer and Longmont businesses are making it easy to shop locally. From downtown to the fairgrounds, all the way out to Altona Grange Hall, there will be plenty of opportunity to find gifts from local artists, makers and businesses before December arrives.
Starting Nov. 13, six artists are hosting a Holiday Art Sale at the alley entrance of 1616 Third Avenue, selling paintings, jewelry, ornaments and pottery from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Nov. 14 brings a “Miracle on 4th,” sponsored by Bricks Retail and the Longmont Downtown Development Authority, to downtown Longmont. The free outdoor event will line Fourth Avenue between Main Street and Kimbark Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with nearly 40 local vendors, artisans and crafts folk, including representatives from the Longmont Leader. The holiday market will offer samples, food trucks, gift wrapping and games for children.
“We’re seeing a big demand for locally made items, not only because they are readily available but because they are more unique and can be personally picked out by the giver. I think people are really tired of ordering online and shipping,” said Bricks Retail owner Jennifer Ferguson. “My hope is this season (and beyond) people start to choose local shopping not out of guilt to ‘support’ a local company, but because it meets their gift giving needs in the best way possible.”
Spreading the holiday cheer and helping out Longmont’s underserved communities, Regan Sample of Sample Home Team and The Times Collaborative coworking space are hosting a benefit for The Inn Between of Longmont. Hosted at the Times Collaborative, 338 Main Street, on Nov. 20, Maker Magic will bring food, drinks and artisans together to raise funds for The Inn Between.
The same weekend, Nov. 20-21, Boulder County Fairgrounds is hosting Mollie McGee’s Holiday Craft Market. Going for more than 40 years now, Mollie McGee’s Craft Markets will bring 150 vendors to the halls of the fairgrounds for just a small admission fee.
After Thanksgiving, the events keep coming. The annual tree-lighting ceremony returns to the Sixth Avenue Plaza on Nov. 26, with holiday music, gift bags, treats and a visit from Santa.
Celebrating Small Business Saturday and Artist Sunday, the Firehouse Art Center hosts a Holiday Market with artist members Nov. 27-28. Altona Grange Hall will also host a Holiday Maker’s Market on the historic property Nov. 27, decking the hall with handcrafted gifts, treats and local food trucks.
Peeking into December, artists and vendors at Old Town Marketplace, 332 Main Street, are getting together for their own Artisan Gift Fair, featuring papercraft, dolls, jewelry, ceramics and local photography. The two-day event runs Dec. 3-4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
