For the fifth year in a row, the Potomac Highlands Food and Farm Initiative hosted the Holiday Art and Food Market at the Davis Fire Hall. The fire hall buzzed with holiday shoppers, children singing carols, and rows of vendors with unique art and delicious food and drink.
“So far the traffic has been the most consistent of any other year, so that’s good,” Kimmy Clements, project director of the Potomac Food and Farm Initiative, said.
There were 25 vendors at this year’s market. Vendors paid an $18 fee to participate in the market plus a donation to the raffle drawing. The vendors at the market were from Tucker County as well as the surrounding areas. Their diverse offerings provided a prime opportunity to find holiday gifts for many people on your Christmas list in one place.
Josh Rogers, a vendor from Hardy County, returned to the market for his third time with his ornamental metal art. He takes his stainless steel art to a number of markets in West Virginia and Virginia, and as a part time metallurgist, the work is enough to keep him very busy. He commented that the market has grown each year.
Last year, Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative partnered with Potomac Food and Farm Initiative to help run the event. The Mountain Laurel students, or “elves,” were busy working in many aspects of the market. The elves helped facilitate the “coloring corner,” a child centered reprieve from the holiday shopping. They also sang carols and sold raffle tickets.
Mountain Laurel student Mason Powell worked hard selling raffle tickets, and when the time came, he called out the winning numbers. “I’d say we’ve sold 200 tickets, maybe,” Powell said. Mountain Laurel donated proceeds from the raffle drawing to Heifer International, a charity organization working to end hunger and poverty by providing livestock and training to struggling communities.
Santa also made an appearance in the fire hall for pictures and to listen to Christmas wishes.
Highland Market sold food and drinks to the holiday shoppers. Pork tacos, with meat supplied from Backbone Food Farm, and chaga tea were two hot and delicious items.
Highland Market is Potomac Highlands Food and Farm Initiative’s main project. The Potomac Highlands Food and Farm Initiative is a nonprofit based out of Davis with the mission ” to increase access to quality food and farm products.”
