51st annual Holiday Mart to showcase young entrepreneurs, help support Indy-area kids and families
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Need to pick up a few holiday gifts for friends and loved ones? The 51st annual Holiday Mart begins Thursday and continues through Sunday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Holiday Mart is the largest fundraising event of the year for the Junior League of Indianapolis, an organization of women that uses voluntarism to develop the potential of local women and help improve the lives of local children and families.
This year’s Holiday Mart, which runs through Sunday at the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, will feature homemade goods from some business-savvy young Hoosiers as well as items from nearly 90 merchants and artisans.
JLI says the event will also highlight its commitment to helping central Indiana children who are involved in the foster or kinship care system. In fact, the winter-themed artwork on display at Holiday Mart was created by children who receive support from the Villages of Indiana, the state’s largest nonprofit child and family services agency.
For the first time ever, guests who stop by Holiday Mart can buy unique items from some very special young Hoosiers.
The “Enchanting Entrepreneurs” are children between the ages of 5 and 17. By selling their handmade goods at Holiday Mart, they will get the chance to run their own businesses.
One of the young proprietors is Ella Grace, who stopped by Daybreak on Tuesday to talk about the event.
“I am going to be selling handmade hairbrushes,” Ella Grace said. “I have all different kinds. I have some white hair brushes. I have some black hair brushes and I even have hand mirrors.”
Ella Grace says things really took off when she was in second grade.
“In second grade, they had us do a market for the first graders and I did a hair and nail salon. But I didn’t want to spread hair lice, so I made hairbrushes for people to buy,” Ella Grace explained. “Then, I said, ‘Hey Mom, can I keep going?’ And my mom said, ‘Sure.’ Then I got business cards and I handed them out at a recital and I, surprisingly, got 100 orders.”
Holiday Mart will also feature several special events, including a Shoppers’ Eve Celebration on Thursday, a charcuterie workshop and cupcake workshops on Saturday, and a Breakfast with Ballerinas on Sunday. Tickets are available online for all special Holiday Mart events.
General admission Holiday Mart tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 or at the door for $15. Admission is free for all kids 10 and under.
Proceeds from Holiday Mart support JLI’s mission and help provide funding for community projects, grants, and programs.
Visit the Junior League of Indianapolis website for more information.
This story was corrected to indicate the show runs through Sunday.