Downtown Fort Atkinson was bustling Saturday during the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Open House and Market.
The event featured vendors at five venues, including the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building, Fort Atkinson Club, First Congregational United Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Feather Your Nest showcased guest artists and many downtown businesses offered specials and treats for holiday shoppers.
Items for sale included original art, handmade crafts, fresh produce, coffee, jams, soaps, honey, and meat products, among others.
Members of A Matter of FACT, a musical offshoot of the Fort Atkinson Community Theatre, arrived to sing Christmas carols at each of the five locations.
Trolley rides and Badger Bank’s Hayrides with Santa also were made available to market-goers.
In addition to the chamber, event sponsors included PremierBank, BKS Dental and Qēt Botanicals.
Photos from the event follow.
Fort Atkinson resident Teresa Traxler, at left, visits with Fort Atkinson-based vendor Michelle Whisner who owns “Crafted,” a decor design business. The booth was one of several found Saturday at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building.
Shelley Schaitel, owner of Sparkling Survivor, LLC, at left, shares her background with shoppers Shirley Jackson, at right, and Doris Mayer. All three women are from Fort Atkinson. An oncology-certified registered nurse and cancer survivor, Schaitel started her cancer consulting and concierge business with the long-term goal of providing free cancer support to individuals. Her booth was in the municipal building.
Jennifer Bailey, at left, and her mother, Kathy Marr, both of Fort Atkinson, present municipal building shoppers with information about the Fort Atkinson Branch of the American Association of University Women. The women noted that, since 1881, the organization’s mission has been to break down barriers for women in the workplace, classroom and community.
Fort Atkinson resident and a member of St. John’s Community Church in the town of Oakland, Marcia Baird, at left, offers rugs made by the church’s Ladies Aid society. The booth was located Saturday in the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building.
Jason Quednow, Lake Mills, at left, introduces shoppers arriving at the First United Methodist Church to his “Jazzed-Up Marshmallows.”
Fort Atkinson resident Bonnie Schaefer visits a booth provided by Menominee Falls-based company Mischief Market. The booth was among those located at the First United Methodist Church.
Tina Beckman, Fort Atkinson, at left, aids a shopper as she purchases a 50-50 raffle ticket. Proceeds from the raffle, and the baked goods sale which was presented at her booth, will be used to support the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, Beckman said.
A table, featuring cookies and other baked goods, was among the first to greet shoppers as they entered the gym Saturday at the First United Methodist Church. The location was one of five where patrons participating in the Fort Atkinson annual holiday shopping event could find booths.
Curt Peterson, at right, visits with a customer who expresses curiosity about his custom plasma cutting artwork. Peterson owns Metal Curiosities, Fort Atkinson. The booth was among offerings found at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Laureen Drews, at left, buys candy from Kristin Krueger as she operates a booth shared by Premier Bakery, Stitchin’ Chick and For The Love of Wool. The booth was located at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Shoppers peruse tables selling raffle baskets, peanuts and other items.
Toni Hrobsky and her granddaughter Julia Droster collect donations for the Salvation Army. The pair served as bellringers in front of the First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Members of A Matter of FACT assemble as carolers and fill the lower level of the Fort Atkinson Club with festive tunes. The group is an offshoot of the Fort Atkinson Community Theatre.
Fort Johnson Farms owners Chris and Ana Johnson, Fort Atkinson, display farm-to-shelf hemp products. The booth was among those offered at the Fort Atkinson Club Community Center.
a booth, operated by representatives of Schoenfeld’s Tree Farm, showcases holiday items sold in its Christmas Store. The company is located on County Line Road between Fort Atkinson and Milton.
“St. Nick” stops by the Fort Atkinson Club Community Center, where he signs up for a raffle of food items from Heritage Country Meats. The company is located on State Highway 89, between Fort Atkinson and Jefferson.
Chris Spangler photos.
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