Residents will have the opportunity to mingle with local artists and purchase everything from jewelry to kettle corn during the Spring Market at the St. Elmo Fire Hall.
"It'll be similar to the St. Elmo Holiday Market," said Emerson Burch, general manager of Artisant Homes, which owns the fire hall. "The Holiday Market was really well received. The Spring Market will feature artisan work, but won't be a craft fair."
The Spring Market will be held April 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with live performers and an assortment of local artists in attendance. The event is being organized by Katie Ellis of Artisant Homes, who said the size of the space makes the event small and well-focused.
Of the 20 artists who will be featured, half attended the St. Elmo Holiday Market. The other half will be new participants including painters, ceramic artists and jewelers. Some of the artists have years of experience while others have just begun to market their works.
Culinary artist Judy Hildebrand of JudyFood, for example, has a well-established business creating vegan dips. Featured artist Maria Larson, a sculptor whose work includes creative candle covers, is new to her trade.
"The fact that we can use our space to create a high-quality experience is cool," Burch said.
There will be live music from 3 to 6 p.m., featuring locals such as Iron Whale, bluegrass duo John-Michael Foreman and Dave Connis, as well as Stephen Bates and Paul Smallman. Crabtree Farms will provide free seedlings to attendees and there will be free lemonade.
Old Mill Kettle Corn will provide bags of freshly popped kettle corn for participants to purchase.
"Originally, we had thought it would be a seasonal market," Burch said. "Now we're talking about doing more of a monthly market. It'll be determined by whether or not the market will be something that is beneficial to the artists."
Whether or not the event will be held monthly also depends on the turnout from local residents. Burch said he hopes to receive feedback from the community about what would make these markets something neighbors would like to attend.
To provide input email the fire hall at stelmofirehall@gmail.com.