HOLLAND, Mich. — Downtown Holland’s Kerstmarkt is kicking off the holiday season Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Civic Center Market Place.
Shoppers can find merchandise made by local artisans and European-inspired food.
“So when you come here and shop, it's going to be something different every single booth,” said Gina Mitchell, owner of The Beard and the Gal. “It's going to be supporting someone that's a small business and someone that's local, that works really hard for those things that you see and that you purchase.”
Steven Van De Wal, who makes handcrafted pens out of wood and acrylic for his business Writesmiths, got started in his craft after it became difficult for him to hold a plastic pen.
"I started by making pens that I could hold on to, very fat-bodied, very heavy pens, and then it turned into all this as people liked the feel of it as well," he said.
One of Van De Wal's most popular designs resembles a candy cane—which he began making after his late wife showed him how to use nail polish to add the color. He said he still uses her nail polish to create the design.
This year, there will be 25 booths with over 40 vendors at the Kerstmarkt. Food, drinks, and locally crafted goods will be offered.
The Dutch-inspired market will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, you can visit here.