Christmas at the Fort has added more lights, music, photo opportunities, and displays to celebrate its tenth year.
And we have expanded the Holiday Market which has grown to 18 chalets that feature wonderfully hand-crafted and specialty items. One of the best things about the market is the opportunity to talk with the artisans themselves. Each one is passionate about their products and eager to share their enthusiasm.
The Three B's, My Honey & Me with Susan Burdick offers hand-crafted soft sculpture and teddy bears plus inspirational signs on wood, slate and canvas.
We love the warm handspun Alpaca products from Mary Burns at The Crafty Alpaca, with many handmade by artisans of Peru. Their wearable art is unique in quality and design.
If you are looking for edible gifts, Jenny Baker of Sweets by a Baker will meet your need with homemade fudge, cookies, nuts, and assorted baked goods. Lynn McLeish of Lynn's Goodies & Gifts has homemade baked goods from family recipes plus one-of-a-kind recycled, refurbished, and repurposed craft items.
Not only can you find Shannon Cunningham's individually designed bead work at Crystal Cave, but you can also have customized jewelry made while you wait.
Kids love the light up toys and balloons sold by Daniel Thorne at the Glow Zone and Kathy Randalson's fresh popped treats at Kathy's Kettle Corn.
Joe Kovaleski, our local apiarist at Buena Vista Honey Farms, will be selling homemade beeswax candles and a variety of honey products - and will be glad to tell you about his beekeeping experiences.
Frank Rieder of Lane & Lore returns to the Market with his distinctive wood and metal crafts, hand-tufted rugs, and custom flags and tumblers. Tyler Kaine of TK Custom Woodcrafts features custom wood elements from key rings to cutting boards to wall plaques and anything else you can envision. Val Cooley of Val the Laser Gal produces personalized gifts including wooden ornaments, door hangers and earrings.
Cat lovers will love to browse and talk to Lindsay DeStefano at My Tokyo Eyes where they will find her hand-crafted feline-themed products including cat toys, apparel, drinkware, and accessories.
Wagon wheels, wreaths, snowmen, lanterns, and swags are among the treasures Teresa Phillips offers at Teresa's Unique Gifts. Locally sourced and produced jams, jellies, fruit butters, seasonings, dip mixes, and spices - a pantry in a booth - are arrayed in the chalet of Bob and Helen Kotson's River Vue Gardens.
Did you know you could eat ice cream in the winter without making you cold? Stephanie Tindor at Sub Zero Treats will explain the process that creates the freeze-dried candy, fruits, holiday peeps, and ice cream treats sold at her chalet.
After a day of shopping and browsing, a cup of Belgian hot chocolate or fresh espresso with holiday syrup from Clear Creek Coffee is just what is needed. Or perhaps a stop at Harp & Habit for hot cider, Irish baked potato soup, or cheesecake would hit the spot. For something different, try the Bubble Tea or Rolled Ice Cream at the Tea Pro Concession booth.
There will also be several food trucks on site: Dr. Sweets offers deep fried treats as well as Mac & Cheese Bowls; The Toasted Traveler has a unique variety of toasted sandwiches; and Jimmi Jukes Woodfired Pizza serves several delicious kinds of pizza.
Christmas shopping can be a truly delightful experience at the Holiday Market at Fort Steuben this year.
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