Special event set for Dec. 20 at new Guy Center
By Barb Pert Templeton
Offering a unique shopping experience with a festive atmosphere inside a newly acquired community center. has prompted Marine City to host their first holiday market.
The Holiday Jubilee and Vendor Market is set for Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new Guy Center at 545 Ward Street in the city. Hot chocolate, candy canes and crafts, along with shopping will be part of the fun along with seeing Santa Claus and visiting the St. Clair County Library Bookmobile that will be on site that day.
Marine City Clerk Jason Bell and Deputy Clerk Carol Brown came up with the idea for a holiday market and hope it’s the just the beginning of great things to come in terms of community events at the center.
“We are looking forward to bringing more to the residents of Marine City and the surrounding area and also working with different organizations that shine the spotlight on Marine City,” Bell said. “The RAP grant project at the Guy Center is coming to life more and more every day, and we’re fired up to finally deliver the community center our residents have waited years for.”
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Bell to pose some additional questions about the special market.
BWHL: Has the city hosted a holiday market like this over the last few years?
Marine City Clerk Jason Bell: The city has never hosted a holiday market or event like this to my knowledge.
A flyer promoting the city’s first Holiday Jubilee Market has been circulating in town for several weeks now.
BWHL: How did this idea come about? Is it indoor or outdoor or both?
Bell: The idea came from both Deputy Clerk Carol Brown and myself shortly after the acquisition of the former Lions Club and our farmers market started. We wanted a way to give back to the community by hosting a free event and finally make use of our community center to give back. This is an indoor event.
BWHL: Where did the vendors come from for this event? What was the cost for a booth?
Bell: The vendors came from our farmers market and then word of mouth from them or our Facebook posts. I would say a good majority are regular MC farmers market vendors. They are all local to the St. Clair County area. We did lean on Beth Oulette from Oulette Events to seek out a food vendor for this event as well and she delivered with a great recommendation. There was no cost to the vendors for a booth as we looked at this being a community event.
BWHL: What are a few examples of the type of items that will be sold?
Bell: We will have: baked goods, woodworking crafts, handmade knitted items, flower arrangements, holiday florals, honey, beef tallow products, elderberry products and much more. We will also have a food cart from Honey Brie Charcuterie LLC and they will have mini pancakes with toppings available for purchase.
BWHL: Where there any restrictions as to what could be sold at the market?
Bell: We used the same restrictions as our farmers market and did not want this to be a reseller event. We want to support the people who support our community and provide good, locally made/grown products.
BWHL: Was it just for holiday items or all kinds?
Bell: We opened it to all kinds of items as you can see from a few examples from above, but there are a few holiday-themed vendors that will be there.
BWHL: Who’s serving the free hot chocolate and candy canes?
Bell: City employees will be there volunteering their time to serve hot chocolate, candy canes and assist with Santa. The hot chocolate will be graciously provided by Neiman’s Catering right here in Marine City.
BWHL: Will Santa hear children’s wishes or just be wandering in the crowd for photos?
Bell: Santa will be set up in the club room of the Guy Center, in front of a nice holiday backdrop and crackling yule logs (video only ) and parents can take pictures with their phone or camera (there will be no photographer as it will speed up the process) city volunteers will also assist with this for a full family photo op.
BWHL: What’s the significance of “Jubilee” in the title of this event?
Bell: No real significance. Seeing as a jubilee is a celebration and to me it just speaks to the time of year and is fun and joyous.
