It all started with Vicki  Emlaw and Bay Woodyard gathering a few makers in their kitchen at MoPo Acres on Morrison Point Road. A handful of county growers, crafters and artists got together to offer one last market before the end of the season.

Over the next 25 years, the little show that started as a throw-together event to provide one last bump for small growers and artisans has become a two-day, 70-vendor festival and fundraiser — a must for all gift-hunters seeking unique treasures for Christmas morning.

Ceramics, crafts,  and fabric art, baked goods, wood crafts, fresh produce — all can be had here, at Busy Hands, just before Christmas.Foot traffic over the weekend at Highline Hall in Wellington was heavy — the heaviest it’s been since before the pandemic.

“I really think it was busier than ever,” Ms. Emlaw reported. “I’m amazed at our longevity and how this show gets that much more popular year over year.”

Just two girls trying to make a living, is how Ms. Emlaw describes that first Busy Hands event.

“Here we are 25 years later, we are still making a living on what we are doing and there are so many friends that have joined us to make Busy Hands so special.”

Meeting Friends Old and New

Michelle Nyman of Nyman Farms is one of those friends. For her, Busy Hands is as much a social event as a market. When she’s not tending the Nyman Farms stall, where maple products go fast, Ms. Nyman renews existing business contacts and makes new ones.

She also does a little Christmas shopping for herself.

“We look from our space and there’s Kinsip. They use our syrup in their Oak Cask Aged Whiskey Barrel Maple Syrup. Across the way is Moonlight Kitchen PEC, who use our products in their maple syrup pie,” Ms. Nyman said. “Then we were approached by bed and breakfast owners who wanted to use our syrup at their establishment. Busy Hands is so highly accessible and family and small-business oriented. That’s a testament to Vicki and Bay’s original vision and how they’ve shaped the show over the last 25 years.”

Instead of paying a gate fee, folks visiting the market  are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or make a donation to one of the local food banks. Ms. Nyman happily reported both the Picton United Food Bank and the Storehouse Food Bank in Wellington shared over $300 cash and multiple car loads of canned food items.

Ms. Emlaw noted that while she and Bay receive credit for this 25-year County Christmas Market marvel, there are others who have been there from the beginning. The crowd serenaded Sandra Emlaw, Vicki’s mother, on Sunday in honour of her 85th birthday. She has played multiple roles at the market over the years.

Others include Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping of Spark Box Studio.

“They’ve been with us since the very beginning, helping out in any way they can. So, after 25 years, it’s about time they get mentioned in the Picton Gazette,” Ms. Emlaw said with a laugh.