Correction: Earlier copy identified a Fort Atkinson-based company that makes soap as Handcrafted Soap. The company is called Hass Soap Works. Fort Atkinson Online regrets the error.
Shoppers populated the downtown area Saturday during the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Holiday Market and Open House.
More than 60 arts and crafts and business vendors were on hand Saturday at a variety of locations throughout the community. Venues included Luther Elementary School, First Congregational United Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church, Café Carpe, Feather Your Nest, and Brock’s River Walk Tavern and Grill. In addition, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church held its Cookie Cupboard.
A “Traveling Red Box” giveaway contest took place all weekend, with a grand prize worth more than $1,000.
Additionally, many area businesses took part in the “Merchants Making a Difference” program, donating a portion of their proceeds earned Saturday to support Trudy’s Room, a program operating through First United Methodist Church of Fort Atkinson.
Through its mission, the program is “dedicated to fostering the well-being of infants and young children by facilitating the donation, collection and distribution of furniture, clothing, diapers and other basic supplies to families while assisting them to achieve economic independence.”
Photos from the event follow.
Visitors to Heritage Country Meats’ booth at First Congregational United Church of Christ sign up for a Bloody Mary prize package worth $100. It was won by Gail Cartwright of Fort Atkinson.
Mike McClain performs “Can’t You See” by the Marshal Tucker Band Saturday morning at First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Pam Dollard of Cambridge peruses items for sale at Lamplight Emporium’s booth at First Congregational UCC.
Scott Albrecht of Fort Atkinson decides which sweets he should buy at First United Methodist Church’s Cookie Cupboard. Assisting him is congregation member Diane Schwab of Cold Spring.
Annilee Legge, from left, and Jodie Badura welcome visitors to the 2 Bros. Tradehouse booth at First United Methodist Church.
Mary Schneider of Fort Atkinson, at right, visits Ashley Weiser’s booth featuring local yarn. Weiser is the owner of Broken Fences in Fort Atkinson, and she creates the yard with all-natural processes, doing everything herself except spinning it.
Callie Enger and Sunny Majewski, from left, and both from Fort Atkinson, and Pam Majewski, Harshaw, visit a booth provided by Fort Atkinson-based Hass Soap Works. The company makes handcrafted soap.
Joining in a 50/50 raffle held by the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, Maureen Brandenburg, Fort Atkinson, at left, fills in her entry form. The raffle table was manned by coalition members Tina Beckman and Jim Merriman.
Amanda Wollin, from left, and Becky Rossing, both of Fort Atkinson, admire pottery by Jayne and Doug Lubke of Edgerton. The Edgerton-based studio operated its booth from within Feather Your Nest.
Sponsored by Badger Bank, a horse-drawn hayride with Santa and Mrs. Claus makes its way through Fort Atkinson’s downtown.
Seated on a horse-drawn hayride with his fans, Santa waves to holiday shoppers.
Santa and Mrs Claus climb board a horse-drawn hayride on West Milwaukee Avenue.
Orchestra students perform at Badger Bank in Fort Atkinson.
Two photos above: Biker set off on the first-ever Santa Bike Ride hosted as part of the holiday shopping citywide event. The event was organized by the Fort Atkinson Tourism Department with support from John Raub of 2 Rivers Bicycle and Outdoor, and Jake Newborn of Wisconsin Bike Federation. Participants were encouraged to dress in festive clothing. Riders met at the Madison Area Technical College Parking lot at 1:30 p.m. Saturday for the 45- to 60-minute ride, which ended downtown.
Fort Atkinson High School art teacher Angie Szabo, at right, visits with a shopper. Her booth operated from space within Luther Elementary School.
Fort Atkinson High School senior Tawney Hadler peruses artwork made by fellow students. The Fort Atkinson Holiday Market and Open House traditionally has been a venue for Fort Atkinson High School seniors to showcase their artwork. This year’s exhibition was held at Luther Elementary School.
Michelle and Orson DeMott visit the art exhibition displaying the work of Fort Atkinson High School seniors. Among pieces on display at Luther Elementary School was the work of their daughter Neph.
Photos by Chris Spangler.
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