The Valdosta Junior Service League will be hosting its very first Merry Marketplace on Saturday, November 17 from 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday, November 18 from 11 am to 4 pm at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center off I-75 and Hwy 84 in Valdosta, GA. Formerly known as the Arts & Crafts Show Christmas Spectacular, the new show will expand to include local and regional retailers along with a mix of unique artisans and craft makers. Beth Reames and Anita Sinnott are the co-chairs for this year's new Merry Marketplace.
The show will feature more than 100 booths filled with a variety of original artwork including watercolors, photography, pottery and handmade jewelry, toys, children's clothing, holiday decorations and painted woodcrafts will also be available. In an effort to create a "one- stop shopping" atmosphere for our guests, select retailers will be invited to participate in this year's show. The expansion will feature specialty shops, which offer unusual items not easily found in traditional retail outlets, and the show will also feature more items geared toward men and boys such as sporting goods, electronics, home improvement tools, and other items.
The event will cater to all members of the family with special entertainment and activities geared more toward children such as a Breakfast with Santa and special arts and crafts workshops.
In the League Booth, show patrons may purchase homemade cakes provided by members of the League as well as the League's latest cookbook, "Southern Treasures: Our Famous Yellow Cookbook." Gift wrapping services will also be available for a small donation. Hourly door prizes and a raffle will round out the weekend of fun activities.
The Valdosta Junior Service League is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the greater Lowndes-Valdosta area. Proceeds from the Merry Marketplace directly benefit Kid's Café, Koats for Kids, Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission, School Hearing and Vision Screenings, local Learning Enhancement Grants, Habitat for Humanity, LAMP and many other worthy causes.
Don't miss the first Merry Marketplace! Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children. Children under 3 are free. Let them help put you in the holiday spirit!
For more information on how to purchase tickets or how to become a vendor for the show, please visit the VJSL website at, www.vjsl.org.
