Volunteers Drew Lawrence, Skye Leppo, Jon Crum, Pam Cullen and Sandi Kraybill of the nonprofit New Cumberland Collective
It’s a crafty way to get a jump on the holiday season.
The Merry Merchants Holiday Market, featuring more than 30 local artisans and makers, is set for Sunday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown New Cumberland.
“We want to provide space for local creators and artists to get a jump on the holidays before Black Friday, Cyber Monday—all that stuff,” said Drew Lawrence, founder and president of the New Cumberland Collective. The recently formed nonprofit, all-volunteer collective is organizing the market.
Now, more than ever, there’s greater demand and desire—to both create and purchase—unique hand-crafted, locally made products, Lawrence said, over mass-produced items available online or via big box stores.
“The past few years, we haven’t had too many opportunities [for local artisans] with the pandemic, and so now I feel like there’s this upswelling of passionate people and creators who [discovered and] locked into their passions during the pandemic.”
Market vendors will have “something for everyone,” according to Lawrence, including handmade candles and pottery, artwork, hats and scarves, a wide variety of jewelry, Christmas cards, snow globes and holiday décor, one-of-a-kind clocks, and even toys like sock puppets.
“It’s astonishing to see how many super-talented artists there are all around us,” said Sandi Kraybill, a New Cumberland resident of more than 40 years, who spearheaded the event. “Even Stephen Michael Haas, the artist who did the mural, will be here selling his art,” she said, pointing across the event’s location—the PNC parking lot at 360 Bridge St. in New Cumberland, bordered by Neato Burrito’s brightly colored wall art created by Haas.
“It’s an opportunity for smaller local vendors to sell things they’re passionate about and really show their creativity, but also to shed some light on the town and all that we’re doing. I think shopping local is key—especially to a smaller community like this,” said volunteer Jon Crum, a New Cumberland resident of 11 years.
Food vendors—Yum Yum Mini Pancakes and Mama’s Meltz—and live holiday music will add to the festive atmosphere. Rumors are swirling that even Santa may make an appearance. And several businesses are adding to the festivities—Creative Spark Arts, across the street, will bring their wares outside on the sidewalk—and nearby Dead Lightning Distillery will be concocting Bloody Merrys and Boozy Cocoa for the occasion.
The all-volunteer New Cumberland Collective formed earlier this year as “a creative community incubator working to make New Cumberland better for everyone”—especially through community events like the holiday market.
“It’s going to be a fun day of holiday cheer—I think it’ll be a blast. Efforts like this could help put New Cumberland on the map—there’s been so much great progress here, over the past few years,” said Skye Leppo, who began volunteering with the collective after moving to New Cumberland five months ago.
During the planning stages, volunteers weren’t sure how many artisans and makers would sign up for the first-time event—but they were overwhelmed by the response.
“People are still reaching out, but we’re filled up. We’re excited the response has been so great,” said Lawrence.
Volunteer Pam Cullen is a central Pennsylvania native who moved back to the area after living in Portland, Ore. She too is encouraged by an upswing in New Cumberland’s creative and community events.
“I see a lot of potential in New Cumberland—this is the kind of thing that would happen in Portland, Oregon, all the time,” said Cullen. “We’re lucky to have so many creators in this town. We want to support them, so that creative people stay in this town. It’s part of what makes this town great.”
Additional merrymaking may continue to make spirits bright in New Cumberland throughout the holiday season. Small Business Saturday, set for Nov. 26, highlights unique downtown shops in New Cumberland and across the nation. And borough officials are planning the inaugural, German-inspired New Cumberland’s Christmas Market for Dec. 3, from 3 to 8 p.m., on Market Square.
“New Cumberland has been off people’s maps a bit,” said Lawrence, “We want to create opportunities for people to reengage with the town and build a stronger community.”
The Merry Merchants Holiday Market, organized by the New Cumberland Collective, is set for Sunday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the PNC parking lot located at 360 Bridge St., New Cumberland. For more information, including a listing of all vendors, visit newcumberland.co/merry.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
