Vendors and shoppers come together at Colony Christmas

PALMER — Colony Christmas is a longstanding tradition that brings people from across the Mat-Su Valley to the quaint downtown district in Palmer for a three-day holiday festival.

“It’s just a nice way to end the year,” Colony Christmas vendor and Arctic Pups owner Susan Dunsmore said.

During the first day of Colony Christmas, the Palmer Train Depot lit up with activity as holiday shoppers made their way from booth to booth.

A spectrum of new and returning artisans sold the fruits of their labors at the annual Colony Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair Friday, Dec. 13, kicking off a weekend filled with communal festivities, holiday shopping, goodwill, and charitable opportunities.

Many of the vendors said the shopping traffic was slow. When it got real slow, they visited each other’s booths to chat and share a laugh. Sometimes they shared goods. Katrina Reyes, owner of Castaway Creations, said it’s common to see vendors trading with one another.

“I love that it’s just a community experience, just seeing everyone come together,” Reyes said. “It’s very magical.”

The sense of camaraderie amongst the Colony Christmas market was evident throughout the day. Young vendors still getting their feet wet set up shop around seasoned proprietors offering nuggets of wisdom. Reyes marveled at the sheer variety of booths this year.

“It all fits together,” Reyes said.

Reyes is a resin artist. This was her first Colony Christmas as a new vendor and her fourth event total. She sells a variety of handcrafted items with oceanic themes, from jewelry to homeware. She moved to the Valley from California nine years ago.

“The ocean just comes out of me,” Reyes said.

Reyes is testing the waters of running her own business. She said it was scary making the first leap but she’s had a fun start. She said the more experiences vendors have been helpful and generous with advice.

“It’s a lot of work but it definitely pays off,” Reyes said.

The arts and crafts fair was a two-day market that ran out of the depot Friday, and both the depot and Mat-Su Borough Gym Saturday. Joe Hoard is wood carver and enjoys working with his hands. His father was a carpenter.

“I like making things… whether it’s a house or a coat rack,” Hoard said.

Hoard’s wife Kathy paints his eclectic array of wooden trinkets for the market. He said they’ve been vendors at Colony Christmas for over 11 years.

“It’s a good time,” Hoard said.

Hoard said they also set up their booth at Friday Flings during the summer and other shows in Anchorage throughout the year. He said that he enjoys the vagabond vibe he gets from taking his pop up shop from market to market.

“Every vendor I think has a little Gypsy in them”,” Hoard said with a laugh.

Attendees could do a lot with their wallets at the arts and craft fair. They could buy a one of a kind item made by their neighbor at one booth or they could help out another neighbor approaching hospice by making a donation at another booth.

Mary Brothers of Valley Hospice Resources sat at the back of the depot, right in the heart of the shopping circle. She said that despite the overall lull of the day, a lot of people showed up to donate to the organization. Some might call that holiday spirit.

“It’s been very good today. I’m surprised,” Brothers said.

Valley Hospice Resources received $164 in donations Friday, which is up significantly from last year, according to Brothers. Light Up a Life is one of their biggest annual fundraisers.

Over 14 people stopped by the booth and wrote on tags. They wrote the names departed loved ones for the Light up a Life Christmas tree. Brothers said she heard a lot of heartwarming stories and that’s one of the things she loves most about this particular Colony Christmas tradition.

Valley Hospice Resources holds a weekly grief support group at the Trinity Lutheran Church off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

They meet every Thursday at 7 p.m. For more information about Valley Hospice Resources, call 907-745-4711.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com