With this year’s December Winter Market fortuitously falling on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend and since all of the other days of this weekend have nicknames to coincide with their particular place in the holiday shopping season, I thought I would take it upon myself to give today a nickname as well. Hence, welcome to Farmers and Artisans Sunday in Bridgeport. Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue like “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday” but it’s the best I could come up with to describe today’s Market at the Bridgeport Conference Center.

 

If you are looking for a truly unique gift for the person who has everything (and we all have one of those folks on our list, don’t we?) then get yourself out to Charles Pointe and check out what our artisans have created for the holiday season. From bowls hand-crafted from WV hard woods to historically-correct WV pottery you are sure to find a one-of-a-kind, locally produced present that will please even the most Bah-Humbuggiest person on your list. Below is our handy-dandy shopping guide.

 

·         Jughead Pottery – Whimsical pottery designs and silver jewelry

·         Chef Bear’s Bowls – Hand-crafted WV hardwood bowls and platters

·         West Fork Pottery – Historically accurate WV pottery designs

·         Feathered – Vintage clothing and accessories

·         Sunny Patch Farms – All-natural bath and body products

·         Riversong Spa – Gift certificates and organic skin care products

·         Healing Minds Clinic – Gift certificates and healthy eating consultation

·         Wild Card Designs – Hand-made gemstone jewelry

·         Patty’s Paca Products – Hand-sewn alpaca clothing items

·         Miste – Re-purposed bags and clothing items

·         Nutter Farm – Goat’s milk lotions and soaps

·         Rising Moon – Hand-crafted holiday decorations and ornaments

·         Master Gardener’s and Green Heron Farms – All-natural herb products

·         Natalie Wainwright – Scrapbooking services

·         Mountain Momma Organics – Gift sets with organic soups and coffees

·         Fish Hawk Acres – Holiday menu planning gift guide from Chef Dale

·         Greens Acres Farm – Seasonal produce

·         Shipley’s Forest Hill Farm – Grass-fed beef and holiday food items

·         Hawthorne Valley Farm – Grass-fed beef, Bloody Butcher corn meal and pancake mixes

·         Gardner Farms -  Farm-raised chicken, lamb, turkey, rabbit, duck, pork

·         Green Glades Creamery – Farmstead cheeses and gift sets

·         Back In Time Bakery – Salt-rising bread and many other baked goods

·         This n That Bakery – Holiday baked goods

 

In addition, many of the Market’s food vendors will be taking orders for your holiday feast fixings. I think you can ask anyone who shared Thanksgiving with my family this year and they will tell you that Reginald (don’t ask), our turkey from Gardner Farms, was the best turkey they had ever eaten. The Gardners made it easy by setting up a Bridgeport drop-off on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We also purchased some sides and desserts from Fish Hawk Acres that were delivered on Wednesday. So, don’t forget to eat local even during the holidays. Actually, especially during the holidays!

 

In closing, we look forward to seeing everyone at Bridgeport’s Light Up Night this coming Thursday, Dec 5. The Market will be giving out some of Chef Dale Hawkins’ excellent cookies. Look for us in the Hobby Stop’s parking lot!

 

Until next month, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the five member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMkt