Murphy – The local craft season is winding down and in fact, many crafters are actually looking forward to a little bit of down time.
The Murphy Farmer’s Market had its last craft event over the weekend. The event was moved to the Ballroom in Murphy to keep the vendors out of the rain for their final sales of the season, which was actually geared toward Christmas.
About 23 vendors filled the Ballroom which had a steady flow of visitors despite the cold and chilly weather. Vendors appeared to enjoy the time spent with other vendors and friends one last time in 2023.
It was a bittersweet event as Migdalia and Paul Jolliffe announced their retirement from managing the farmer’s market after many years due to health reasons. Migdalia started as a crafter herself in 2012 then took over the market in 2016.
When asked about a memorable experience doing the market Migdalia stated, “There’s too many to number. One really nice one that’s recent is seeing a young person that told us she didn’t know if she could help us because she is not a people person. She’s blossomed in to the most sociable helper. That is priceless.”
Ashley Scanlon will be taking over the Murphy Farmer’s Market going forward. Scanlon is a crafter herself selling her wares, which include resin boxes and trinkets as well as candles and a variety of personalized cups and tumblers.
Anne Purssord is a regular and well known vendor to the market. She bakes cookies, cakes and other items that some folks just come to the market for. She’s looking forward to the off-season and said, “I’m ready for a break. I’m getting a bit old, I’m 75-years-old, and I get tired.”
After 17 years of baking for craft events it makes sense one would need the time off.
The Valley River Humane Society also had a booth at the Christmas event adopting out a total of five cats.
Santa Claus (played by Dennis Harper) made a surprise visit that caused small children to yell his name while jumping up and down. Santa is also a craft vendor selling hand bird houses when he’s not dressed in red and white.
“I’m really excited to see Santa,” said little Silvia-Mae Puente of St. Augustine, Fla., with a big smile and excitement in her eyes. All the youngster asked the jolly fellow for this year was a Christmas doll.
The Murphy Farmer’s Market closed the season with happy but tired vendors who will no doubt be ready to go again after a few months of time to rest and restock their wares.
All of the vendors were grateful to Lizz Aquarian for her thoughtfulness in checking in on them during the event. Aquarian is the owner of the Ballroom in Murphy as well as Downtown Pizza.