AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
First-timers at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s outdoor Christmas Market were impressed by the sheer volume of shoppers passing through on December 11. Even those who frequent the market during the summer months remarked that the crowds were the biggest they’d ever seen.
The weather was grey but mild after early morning rains and the atmosphere was lighthearted owing to a wonderful mix of Christmas wreaths and garlands, gift items and a wide range of foods and spirits perfect for holiday tables. Rounding a corner past several tents by the entrance, it was hard to miss regular vendor Zahradka Farm’s stand where the tables held wreaths handmade from evergreens grown on their acreage. One table was devoted to late season vegetables, eggs and jams.
Walking on further, there were products to investigate wherever one looked. Customers formed lines to check out fresh shrimp, scallops and fish from vendor OBX Shrimp. They positively thronged The Breadery‘s stand for loaves of fresh milled whole grain and artisan breads and rolls.
Most of the regular vendors were on hand plus several that came specifically for the Christmas Market. One of those was Samantha Miller of Grow With Samantha Macrame who came all the way from the Eastern Shore. Popping her head out from rows of handcrafted hanging shelves and planters to speak with shoppers looking for Christmas gifts, Samantha said she began making her line of macrame items to raise money for her two rescue horses.
Also from the Eastern Shore, Anita Robertson from My Nana’s Kitchen pulled out all the stops for the Christmas Market making jar upon jar of old-fashioned homemade jams, spreads, and condiments.
Christmas shoppers were most definitely drawn to the tent where Amy Heath of HipModVintage was selling her own seasonally decorated vintage sleighs, tennis rackets and jewelry along with daughter Ellie Heath’s Three Blue Bunnies jackets. Both women use recycled materials to craft their unique and stylish items.
Regular vendor Amy Heath was selling her line of jewelry along with vintage sleighs and tennis rackets dressed up for holiday display. 
Heath was also selling her daughter Ellie’s signature Three Blue Bunnies jackets.
Holiday decorations were scattered elsewhere through the market. Fans of regular vendor Joyce Martinek of Joyce’s Flowers were happy to see she’d switched from flowers to wreaths, pinecones and other decorative items.
Pat Hochmuth expanded his Pat’s Produce and Gourds stand to include evergreens and wreaths.
The appearance of the “Charlie Brown Trees ” section was a heartwarming touch.
Toward the far end of the Christmas Market, who could possibly ignore the Dangerously Delicious Pies stand. With sweet pies like Caramel Apple Crumb, Mixed Berry Crumb, Baltimore Bomb and Pumpkin and savory pies like Chicken or Steak, Mushroom, Onion and Gruyere, it would be hard to resist buying one.
But, Oops! By 10:30 am, the popular stand was completely sold out with every pie gone and bags of Zeke’s Coffee the only product left to sell.
Pasture-raised meats and eggs from Tracey’s Landing-based Morris Hill Farm near the exit of the market were far from overlooked. A regular Severna Park Farmer’s Market vendor, owner David Haberkorn’s products are much sought after. Special offerings for the Christmas Market included Smoked Ham Roasts and Babyback Ribs.
With yet another successful Christmas Market to their credit, the vendors bid a fond farewell to the customers they’d served through the summer……. for now. They also extended heartfelt invitations to the shoppers to come back and see them in the spring. The Severna Park Farmers Market, at the corner of Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, runs from April through October. Visiting the market is a wonderful way to #shoplocal and #supportourfarmers. To follow the market on Facebook, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .
