GREENSBORO, N.C. — It was a busy weekend at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Local businesses welcomed shoppers kicking off their Christmas Season at the annual Holiday Market.
"This is a big deal for the whole community, for the state, for the small businesses. We've got a lot of independent people that have come in here, we do have some larger companies but most are independents" said Holiday Market Director, Tami Gilmore.
Gilmore says the three-day event is essential for local businesses.
Throughout the market, you'll find dozens of small, independent, local businesses featuring handmade goods and homemade treats.
"A lot of these people, they are counting on this time period to do a lot of their yearly income," said Gilmore.
Laura Duckworth is one of the vendors cashing in on the jumpstart to the holiday season.
She is from Roanoke, Virginia, and has made the two-hour trip to be a vendor, at the Holiday Market, for nearly two decades.
"We have found that this show has a lot of people come to it. We have customers that are used to us now," said Duckworth.
This was the 34TH year of the Holiday Market, an annual tradition that many look forward to each November.
Gilmore says this year's market has been the most successful in years, with attendance exceeding 2022.
"I got puzzles, shoes and pies. And well, the pies are gifts but a lot of stuff is for me, for my Christmas," Jamestown resident, Ashley Worrell said with a chuckle.
Worrell is just the kind of customer these businesses look forward to.
Even with a broken foot, she wasn't going to pass up the chance to shop locally.
"There is so much here, not just Christmas stuff so you can get gifts for anybody, if you can't find it here, you can't find it," said Worrell.
With so much attention being placed on Christmas, many feel Thanksgiving is being overlooked.
Gilmore says this annual event draws businesses and craftsmen with a variety of products and gifts for any holiday.
"It's Halloween, it's Thanksgiving, it's Christmas, it's Hanukkah, it's Happy New Years! If you have a celebration, we want to celebrate with you!" said Gilmore.
If you missed your chance to shop local this weekend, the 50th annual Craftsman's Christmas Classic Arts and Crafts Show will give you another opportunity over Thanksgiving weekend.