JASFC Merry Market set for Nov. 20 at Civic Center

The Junior Auxiliary of St. Francis County is making plans for its annual Merry Market at the Forrest City Civic Center.

Robyn Blackwell, Merry Market chair, said the event will take place Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., and vendor spaces are still available.

"We do still have spaces available. Right now we have 25 vendors. I also have a few who've reached out and told us they will come," said Blackwell.

"We had a lot of restrictions last year that we do not have this year so we are hoping to get a good group of vendors in," said Blackwell. "Masks will not be required but are recommended for shoppers."

"Most of our vendors are local," Blackwell continued. "We have very few who maybe travel from Helena, but it is all Arkansas businesses. Most of our vendors this year are returning vendors."

Blackwell said the market is the perfect place for residents to not only support local businesses but to shop for Christmas gifts as well.

"We will have Christmas decorations, jewelry, handmade items such as fans, doormats and baked goods, women's clothing, purses, tumblers, customized picture frames, custom car freshies, craft projects, I mean it will have just about anything you want," said Blackwell.

Blackwell said door prizes will also be given away throughout the day.

"Entry tickets to the Merry Market may be purchased at the door and shoppers will need to keep their ticket to know if their number if it is called," said Blackwell.

Money generated through the sale of tickets helps cover the cost of the venue and helps support the organization’s annual service projects.

Blackwell said Merry Market is a JASFC tradition.

"A while ago, Junior Auxiliary had this and it was a craft fair," said Blackwell. “We brought it back three years ago by popular demand. We had many lifetime members reach out and wonder if we were going to bring the craft fair back."

"We've funded the Angel Tree and the trunk-or-treat, and we don't make money with those service projects,” said Blackwell. “These types of finance projects help fund the other things we do. They may not be the same every year but we always try to do something that gives back to the communities we serve. That's what the Merry Market will fund."

One of the JASFC's service projects, JA G.E.M.S., will also have a booth set up at the event.

"It isn't set in stone just yet as to what exactly they are going to do," said Blackwell. "I know that they are going to sell hot chocolate and want to do some other things."

The G.E.M.S is a service project

for girls in the fourth through ninth grades in St. Francis County to have mentors to help them through their journeys through high school. Mentors are all JA members and help girls in the group with not only basic necessities but emotional support and programing that teaches self confidence, self reliance and more.

Those attending Merry Market will also be able to select an angel from the JASFC Angel Tree.

Angel Tree provides gifts of new clothing and toys for over 200 children who otherwise might not have anything for Christmas.

Merry Market also helps JA fund its Crown Closet.

"That project provides diaper bags to the hospital," said Blackwell. "It also helps local foster and adoptive families in St. Francis County with timely and practical resources when families receive a placement."

The Crown Closet provides each family with a free boutique style shopping experience. The closet contains clothing of all sizes, pajamas, shoes, new underwear, hygiene products and seasonal items such as coats and bathing suits.

Vendors who want to sign up to participate in this year's Merry Market may do so through the group's Facebook page or contact Blackwell at 870-317-6528 or at robyn.blackwell@yahoo.com.