The Illinois Local Holiday Market will be held on Saturday, November 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Last year, the event attracted over 2,500 shoppers. This year, the fourth annual market will feature more than 70 local vendors, Santa, Bluey & Bingo, performances from Springfield Youth Performance Group, Dayna’s Dance Revolution, the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Land of Lincoln Chorus. Attendees can also enjoy a golf simulator, photo booth, and a kids' corner with holiday arts and crafts.
"We hope everyone can join us for the market. It’s fast becoming a holiday tradition for local families and visitors from out of state," said Gemma Long, Illinois Local co-founder. "The day-long event is a great way to celebrate small businesses, kick off holiday shopping, support local causes, and enjoy entertainment and delicious food and drinks."
New to this year's market is a Nutcracker scavenger hunt with a chance to win tickets to the Saturday, December 6 p.m. performance of Springfield Youth Performance Group's The Nutcracker at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. Marketgoers can also bring nonperishable snacks and children’s gloves to donate to Compass for Kids by placing them under the Illinois Local Holiday Market Tree of Joy at the Compass for Kids booth, sponsored by AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic.
Entry to the market is $5; children 12 and under are free, and parking is also free. Guests can enter the fairgrounds at Gate 12. SMTD bus routes 1 and 2 service the area. The Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois supports the Holiday Market, which is also an official American Express Shop Small 2024 Neighborhood Champion.
Vendors aged 13 to 18 participate for free. "It’s important for young entrepreneurs to have the opportunity to showcase their businesses," said Gemma. "We’re excited to welcome them back to the Illinois Local Holiday Market this year."
The market will feature a wide variety of goods, including clothes, accessories, homeware, art, a hat-burning station, carolers, a Landmark Ford vehicle, hot food, smoothies, coffee, wine, cocktails, popcorn, candy, baked goods, and more.
Illinois Local and AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic have teamed up to support Compass for Kids at the Holiday Market, collecting nonperishable snacks and children's gloves under the Tree of Joy. "We’re so excited to sponsor the first Tree of Joy to collect much-needed items for Compass for Kids," said AlignLife owner Dr. Bryne Willey.
"Compass for Kids operates three programs in Springfield School District 186: Camp Compass, a summer camp that prevents learning loss among low-income students; Club Compass, an after-school program focused on social-emotional development; and the Youth Leadership Development Program, which supports middle and high school alumni," said Sarah Oglesby, Compass for Kids chief operating officer. "The commitment of Illinois Local and AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic to uplift the community through their support will impact local children and families. These organizations are bringing people together to give back and reminding us of the power of community."
The Illinois Local Holiday Market Tree of Joy will be at the Compass for Kids booth from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 30 in the Expo Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. For more information, visit illinoislocal.org.
