From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday Sept 9 on Commercial Street, Emporians were treated to over 100 local vendors selling food, crafts, and art at the Great American Market.
The annual market provides Emporians the opportunity to peruse food vendors and handcrafted goods and gives local business owners an opportunity to get their merchandise in front of a wider audience.
“We’re in a town of 3800 and we’re lucky to sell $100 to $150 bucks a day. But you get into six, eight, ten-thousand people towns, you start making it back no problem,” Jason Dvorak said while working at Miss D’s Honeybees’ vendor stall.
The market also presents an opportunity for local organizations to get wider community involvement for their fundraising opportunities. This was the case for Sunrise Free Will Baptist Church located on 6th Avenue.
“We’re fundraising for our church to get a flat sanctuary,” said Shannon, who sold hand-knitted crafts and popcorn for the church.
Emporia State alumnus Nick Dikin even participated in the event, selling his hand blown glassware.
“It’s good to be around the community,” Dikin said.
The Great American Market is hosted by Emporia Main Street every September in Emporia.
