JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Jasper Elementary School hosted its annual Mistletoe Mania Market event, kicking off this year’s upcoming Christmas season in a large-scale manner.
Vendors and non-profits from all across the Sequatchie Valley gathered together on Saturday, Nov. 15, for this year’s annual market to share their various crafts, goods, as well as their services to the community. Nicole Jones, Principal of Jasper Elementary, explained the event first began in 2021, starting out as a fundraiser for the school’s PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) program. At the time, Jones and other school faculty wanted to host an event that invited local business owners and artisans from the community to share their works, allowing each to earn support from the community and the school to earn additional funds via vendor fees.
Jones explained upon the market’s establishment, up to 30 vendors participated each year. However, for this year’s market, the school collaborated and merged with the annual Marion County Market, doubling this year’s vendor count to 60. The decision was made due to the amount of annual events scheduled around the same time as both markets, in addition to the Marion County Market’s willingness to support Jasper Elementary.
“They actually approached us and asked if we could do it together this year to help out. Plus it also gives them an indoor venue because theirs are usually outside on the square,” said Jones.
Jones herself was among one of the many participating vendors within the market event, working alongside her family to sell 3D printed crafts, all handmade via Jojo & Jax’s 3d Prints & Projects.
Along with Jojo & Jax’s, many other vendors, such as Nite Time NicNacks and Blessed Bindings by Karen, also attended the event to share and sell their works to visiting guests. Food and bakery vendors, including Lee Ann’s Custom Cakes as well as Grains and Grace Sourdough, were also present, selling to guests varying flavors of cakes and sourdough bread. Non-profit organizations from around the community also participated in the event, ranging from Smiles Dentistry out of South Pittsburg to CASA of the Sequatchie Valley and the Palms Up Foundation.
In addition to the conglomerate of vendors, several activities for families to engage in were set up during the large-scale event. Among the activities included making hand printed Christmas ornaments, as well as getting a picture with Santa Clause himself, all of which together added additional holiday cheer for everyone in attendance.