The Moonbow Christmas Fair is coming on Sunday, November 17, and I would love to tell you more about it. First of all, it is during the Corbin Downtown Christmas Open House, so it is already a great afternoon to spend in downtown — Santa is at the park, all the stores are open and having specials, and Main Street is full of festive fun and good cheer. It is a family-friendly good time in a small town. What better way to get in the spirit for the season?

My favorite part is the Moonbow Christms Fair that we host at 2nd & Main, the event space that surrounds Moonbow Mercantile. Imagine stepping into the warm building, full of sparkling lights, where you are greeted by the beautiful sounds of Kites (a local Indie Folk duo, and a magical pair) playing a holiday set. All around the room are some of the very best artisans in the region, each offering their unique handmade items. You get to purchase directly from them, perhaps meeting an artist you have admired for a long time.

It is such a good feeling, because it is the ultimate way to shop local. You get all of the fun of holiday purchasing without any of those nagging doubts. You get more than an item, you get the whole story of it — how it was made, who made it, where it came from. In a society where so much of what we touch is mass-produced and sold in a big-box store, it is a true balm for the weary soul in a season that can feel commercialized and disconnected from it’s true meaning.

I am very proud of the vendors that we have put together for this year. Below is an initial list — we are expecting a few updates in the upcoming days. We will be sure to tell you more about each of these people.

I truly hope you can join us this year! I know that we all love where we live, and we are creating the opportunity for you to put your money where your heart is.