Annual sale helps local artisans in Cache Valley

By: Mandi West

When winter starts it marks the end of the Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market that many local artisans sell their crafts at and only there. The Winter Gift Market is an annual event that acts as an extension to the market so that vendors have a chance to sell all year round.

This Christmas themed sale is free to everyone and will begin at 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and the last day will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The venue will be at the Bullen Center located at 43 South Main Street.

Sharon Ohlhorst is one of the three coordinators of the sale event. She said that out of the 35 vendors that will have items including pottery, photography, soaps and lotions, jewelry, glass, painting, wood, fabric arts and giftable food items. Everything is locally made.

“The Winter Gift Market is all about showcasing and supporting our local artists, many of whom do not sell their art any place else,” Ohlhorst said. “All vendors have affordable giftable items for sale and this is a great venue to buy local.”

Along with supporting local artisans, many local musicians have an opportunity to perform at the event as well. Becky Yeager is another coordinator of the event who was in charge of setting up the schedule for live music. They have many different varieties that will be playing throughout the weekend.

“We also have music at the event that is meant to be a way for musicians to have some visibility,” Yeager said. “They are all talented and are performing for free so everyone is encouraged to donate money or buy their albums if they like what they hear and I know that they will.”

The Winter Gift Market is a non-profit event that requires a lot of volunteer work. Café Ibis donates hot
beverages that will be sold. All proceeds will go to a local charity called 4Paws.

This will be the 11^th year of the Winter Gift Market which Ohlhorst and other coordinators said they believe will continue to be a long-standing tradition.

“The people around here are such a great support system to the artists trying to sell their craft,” Ohlhorst said. “After a survey we took last year, we believe it will stay a tradition with how many people plan on the event each year.”