Were you there? Did you miss it?

Santa was sporting his summer look - trimmed hair and beard and a summer-weight Santa suit! The day was perfect, sunny and warm without being humid, and no snow. And the Farmers’ Market vendors were ready for the holiday.

Gramme Bear (Sharps Chapel author Lynn Sutton Prichard-Dykes) was ready for the season with Grinch trees and scarves, and a wide variety of beautifully crafted potential Christmas presents. Her teddy bears were cute and huggable, and she had a selection of creative Mug Rugs (coasters to the rest of us). Lynn also had copies of her children’s book “Who Cares Anyway?, a story about the importance of manners, available as well.

Gramme Bear’s daughter-in-law, Rena Dykes, had selections from her business A Stitch in Time. There were cute stuffed kittens, handmade jumpers for newborns, and clocks with a wide choice of designs, including puppies, horses, and scenery. Rena generally shows her handmade items on eBay.

Union County resident Amos Massengile is in the Christmas spirit with his many holiday-themed carpentry creations. The Kissmastree is designed to hold Hershey’s Kisses. Many of his reindeer are stained, but they are also available as bare wood for kiddos to paint any color they choose. There were colorful red and green coasters and candy cane decorations to hang on the front door or just about anywhere.

Jessica Brook named her business, Little Jim’s Treasure Chest, after her dad who recently passed. Resin art is a creative craft that uses a two-part chemical mixture—liquid epoxy resin and a hardener—which cures into a clear, durable, high-gloss plastic. Jessica’s resin coasters came in a wide selection of designs and colors. Her gel wax candles, made in champagne glasses with decorative flowers suspended in the transparent wax, burn much slower than regular wax candles, and, even better, they do not smoke. Each design is creative and beautiful. Candles are lightly scented with raspberry and mint, or orange blossom.

The delightful, mouthwatering smell of Skirt Steak Fajitas wafted through the Market as Market Chef Elizabeth Tindell seared steak provided by Rebel Hollow Farm and added sautéed bell peppers and onions from Thompson Farms and Little Valley Nursery. The combination was not only flavorful, but the steak was tender and juicy. Faith Tindell, from Tindell’s Farmhouse Bakery and catering, had Christmas Gingerbread loaves and Peanut Butter Pinwheels for sale.

Colorful shoulder bags in a wide variety of colors and patterns were available from Karen’s Bags. Her booth reminded us all that All Roads Lead Home at Christmas. A shoulder bag could be a very useful gift for Christmas, or any time. You can order from Karen at KClayton652@gmail.com

If you were not quite ready for gift purchases, there was plenty of locally grown, fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat from Seven Springs Farm to Table, Rebel Hollow Meats, Thompson Farms, Walnut Hill Farms, and Little Valley Farm. Local honey, jellies and jams, bakery items and more were all at the Christmas in August Farmers’ Market.

Fire on the Mountain Pizza Special of the Day was Pineapple Ridge. It’s basically a Hawaiian-style pizza with a mountain twist—house pizza sauce, their three-cheese blend, Black Forest sausage, applewood-smoked bacon, and pineapple, then finished with a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey. Sweet, smoky, savory, with just a little heat. Plans for the 8/29/26 Summer’s Last Hurrah Farmers’ Market pizza special: Cherokee Purple tomato and basil special with the tomato and basil from the local vendors.

Favorite musical guests Monkey Wrench Christian Ministries will perform, and Chef Zach will cook up something special for the Food Demo Free Sample at Summer’s Last Hurrah 8/29/26!