Holiday Farmers’ and Craft Markets

Compiled by Anna Oakes

Christmas trees and wreaths are available at area holiday markets, including the Watauga County Farmers’ Market (pictured).

Wear your warm coats, hats and scarves to browse the variety of goodies available at this year’s holiday markets.

Diversify your holiday meals and spreads and check off the names on your holiday gift lists by attending the High Country’s holiday markets. Food from local farmers and handmade crafts from local artisans are available.

Rain or shine (or snow), the markets will be open.

Valle Crucis Holiday Market—Saturday
Valle Crucis Elementary School will host a Holiday Market this Saturday, November 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy holiday shopping for items such as jewelry, kitchenware, art, coffee, stationary, quilts, photography, wreathes, stained glass, baby gifts, home decor, cosmetics, handbags, homemade spices, puppies and puppy treats, organic play-dough, ornaments, ironworks, homemade furniture and much more.

Food will also be available for sale. An organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness will hold a bake sale, and several school children will sell items to benefit their own charity.

For more info, call 828-964-4712.

Christmas Craft Sale—November 18 and 19
A Christmas Craft Sale will take place at the Harrill Senior Center in Boone on Wednesday, November 18, and Thursday, November 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Crafters ages 60 and up are eligible to participate in the sale. Inventory forms and instruction sheets are available at the Senior Center and the Western Watauga Center. For more info, call 828-265-8090.

Watauga Holiday Markets—November 21 and 28
The Watauga County Farmers’ Market will hold holiday markets on the Saturdays before and after Thanksgiving, November 21 and 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day.

Featured at the holiday markets will be Christmas trees and wreaths, pasta, homemade soaps, sourdough bread, goat cheese, wool hats, lots of jewelry, all cuts of lamb, quilts, pumpkins, pork, lots of jewelry, jams, jellies, some produce including potatoes and garlic, vinegars, candles, beef, lots of baked goods, baskets, pottery, handcrafts and fresh coffee. Chicken and eggs could also be available, Market Manager Karen Bauman said.

Local singer-songwriter Crys Matthews will perform at one or both of the markets, she said.

To find Horn in the West, turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. For more info, call 828-355-4918 or click to www.wcfm.info.

Ashe Holiday Markets—November 21 and 28, December 5 and 12
The Ashe County Farmers’ Market will host four holiday markets on Saturdays, November 21 and 28 and December 5 and 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day.

The holiday markets will feature a variety of crafts, some produce and Christmas wreaths, trees and décor.

On Saturday, December 5, the Blue Ridge Elementary sixth grade chorus will perform Christmas carols at the market.

The Ashe Farmers’ Market is also planning a new winter farmers’ market, which will take place January through March 2010. The market is located at the Backstreet in West Jefferson. For more info, call Market Manager John Smyre at 910-309-1932 or 336-877-4141 or click to www.ashefarmersmarket.com.

Blowing Rock Holiday Fresh Market—November 24 and December 17
The Fresh Market debuted in Blowing Rock this summer with about 20 regular vendors and will hold its first holiday markets on Tuesday, November 24, and Thursday, December 17, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. both days.

The market takes place along Wallingford Street in downtown Blowing Rock. Parking is available in the new two-level parking deck beside the American Legion building. For more info, call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.

Beech Mountain Holiday Market—November 28
On Saturday, November 28, the Beech Mountain Holiday Market will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Buckeye Recreation Center.

The market will offer plenty of unique gift items made by local artisans, delicious food and live Christmas and folk music played by Art and Kathy Lang. Door prizes include yart (yarn art), gift baskets and a Zumba party.

For more info, call the Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department at 828-387-3003.