More than 40 booths scattered the grounds of the Francis Tracy Garden Center in Tavernier on Nov. 30 for the Holiday Craft Market & Festival. In honor of Small Business Saturday, local artists and small business owners celebrated their talents, donning paintings, plants, jewelry, candles, essential oils, statues, decorations and other arts and crafts. Patrons enjoyed a food truck and spectacular bake sale as they browsed the different forms of craftmanship. The festival was sponsored by the Garden Club of the Upper Keys – a nonprofit education organization founded in 1952 that’s dedicated to teaching people about the natural environment and native plants, enjoying the beauty of the botanical world, and preserving the natural beauty of the Upper Keys. While not the first festival the group has held, it was the first to have a significant focus on arts and crafts, from handmade gifts and heirloom decorations, to plants and botanical decor.
Top left: Garden Club members Ellen Berosh, Edna Waldorf, Kathy Holmes and President Kathy Janco. CONTRIBUTED Top right: A vendor displays a wide range of products at the Holiday Craft Market. Bottom left: Children getting into the Holiday spirit with Felicia Jasztremski. Bottom right: Rose Hawkins admires unique statues by Golden Keys Statuary. Discovering their creative talents only one year ago, Larry Golden pours the molds and wife Janie personally hand paints each one. HOLLY HOUSER/Keys Weekly
