Some 300 shoppers Saturday visited Whitewater’s Cravath Lakefront Park during the first-ever “Shop Small Holiday Market,” according to event organizers.
The event, which is planned to return annually, offered shopping opportunities, along with live music and other activities, many of which were geared toward children.
More than 20 venders arrived in the park to sell wares, from fashion accessories to honey, as other event-goers found a seat near an open-fire warming station to listen to music provided by bands and orchestras made available through the Whitewater High School and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Festivities included activities beyond the park. A map, provided online by organizing groups: the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Whitewater, Inc., identified 12 selfie stations created throughout the downtown area and 16 locations which together comprised a self-guided story stroll.
Santa arrived in the late afternoon and worked his way through the park, greeting his many fans.
An early evening tree-lighting ceremony concluded the event.
Photos from the event follow. Kim McDarison photos, unless otherwise indicated.
Fort Atkinson resident Sarah Weh, at right, owner of SJW Handmade, visits with a customer.
Event-goers fill Cravath Lakefront Park Saturday as they shop at the holiday market and participate in myriad activities.
Blended family siblings Levi Sann, 13, from left; Shiloh Ehlert, 5, and Sidney Sann, 9, all of Whitewater, play games together in the community building at Cravath Lakefront Park.
Event-goers pause near an open-fire warming station. The station was situated in front of a tent from which several groups of area students performed live music.
Before making his debut at the holiday market, Santa stops to greet a resident and his furry companion.
Mackenzie Walter, Whitewater, and her lab mix, “Louie,” 3, visit the holiday market.
Midwest Nest offers an assortment of fashion accessories. Owner Jessica Mathews, at right, and her sister, Kelsey Getz, both of Milton, were on hand to greet customers.
Lavender Fields and Emporium is among venders participating in the first-ever Shop Small Holiday Market.
Representing Cub Scout Troop 340, Beloit, Norah Rounds greets event-goers.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater String Quartet performs near a warming station.
Victoria Bailey, from left, and Mackenzie Benish, both of Janesville, color holiday-themed outlines in the community building at Cravath Lakefront Park. The women said they enjoy coloring and through the activity, they were embracing the Christmas spirit.
Mother and daughter team Yazmine Ordaz, at left, and Juana Escobar own and operate J and Y Crafting.
Arriving at the market to spread holiday cheer and talk with event-goers, “Santa” said he has been making special visits to the greater Janesville area for 22 years. He has a home in the rural Milton area, he added. He said he donned his suit and began visiting Janesville, making a special visit to an area elementary school, and later found he enjoyed visiting the Lincoln Tallman House, in Janesville, which is owned and operated by the Rock County Historical Society.
Cayden Warner, at left, and her friend, Apple Schlueter, both 10 and of Whitewater, build a Giant Jenga tower. Activities for kids were found in abundance in the community building at Cravath Lakefront Park.
Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department employee Michelle Dujardin holds a form used to help event-goers of all ages write a letter to Santa. By mid-afternoon, she said, some four dozen letter writers had come to her table to send a message to the jolly ole elf.
Members of the Soto Family, including four children, ages 10, 6, 5 and 2, engage Santa and eagerly tell him what they want for Christmas. Among their requests were a squishy shark toy, a plushy deer, “Mario,” and a dump truck.
Representing the event’s organizing groups, Downtown Whitewater Inc., and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, Katy Wimer, at left, and Kellie Carper, the chamber’s executive director, pause from the day’s activities to take a photograph with Santa.
Kim McDarison photos.
Carolers and event-goers gather for a tree-lighting ceremony, which concluded the first-ever Shop Small Holiday Market. Photo courtesy of Katy Wimer.
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Sorry I missed this. I will watch for it next time. I hope that the String Quartet is there again!