Holiday shoppers, Santa visit Cravath Lakefront Park

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Holiday shoppers, Santa visit Cravath Lakefront Park

Holiday shoppers, Santa visit Cravath Lakefront Park

By Kim McDarison

In its second year, the Whitewater “Shop Small Holiday Market” was held Saturday.

The event, which was held at Cravath Lakefront Park, in the city’s downtown area, provided a variety of activities.

Along with shopping at myriad booths which lined the walkway in the park, event-goers were treated to horse-drawn carriage rides, an activities area for children, which was held inside the park’s community building, and, of course, a visit from Santa.

Market participants also were treated to live music as performed by the Whitewater High School Carolers, who sang Christmas carols in front of the lake, and a quartet formed by University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students who performed in front of the Cravath Lakefront Park Community Building.

Additionally, in-between events and shopping, participants were invited to cozy up near a warming fire.

The event was organized by Downtown Whitewater, Inc., which is, according to its website, a “volunteer-driven organization spearheading community efforts to re-energize and enhance (the city’s historical) downtown.”

The event this year, according to Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Membership and Operations Karin Silvius, was visited by approximately 500 people.

Silvius said traffic estimates made this year by organizers were based on the number of programs that were distributed at the event.

Market Manager of the Whitewater City Market Lisa Dawsey Smith, who also was on hand Saturday, said vendors with whom she spoke estimated that some 400 patrons arrived, noting, she said, that vendors mentioned the addition this year over last of some “new faces.” Additionally, she said, vendors interacting with her said that their sales figures were similar to those made last year.

Statistics shared with WhitewaterWise’s sister publication, Fort Atkinson Online, noted that some 300 people arrived at the event last year.

The event drew some 35 vendors this year, Silvius said. Last year, the event presented shoppers with 22 vendors.

Also different this year, complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides were offered to event-goers.

This year, three food trucks participated in the event.

Among new vendor offerings this year was that of beer, which was provided by Whitewater-based restaurant Second Salem.

A holiday enhanced “mulled” wine was a returning feature of this year’s event, Silvius said.

Photos from the event follow.

Dressed for the weather and from her colorful booth, Crystal Reidinger sells a variety of handmade jewelry and pins. Reidenger operates a business called Spooky Nook.

Diane Krueger, of Lucky21 Woodworks, displays a crafted home decor piece sporting the words “Life is Better With Dogs.” The product is fashioned with hooks where various items may be hung.

Members of the Clark family, including Jonathan, from left, and Daniell, man a booth selling a variety of home-grown mushrooms and fungi. The family is from Orfordville.

A Holiday Market event-goer, at left, enjoys time near a warming fire situated outside of the community building at Cravath Lakefront Park. Logan Kienbaum tends the fire.

A young man splits wood near a warming fire.

A Clydesdale named “Lala,” is fitted with a harness in preparation of pulling a carriage. Rides were among activities offered to Holiday Market event-goers Saturday. Claystone Stock Farms, Inc., the providers of the rides, are from Elkhorn.

Elaine Zheng visits with “Santa” in the community building at Cravath Lakefront Park. Santa said he has donned his festive suit, arriving in Whitewater in advance of Christmas night, for 22 years. He enjoys the visits, he said, because he most likes seeing the children smile.

Children gather around a table in the community building at Cravath Lakefront Park. As participants in the children’s activity area, they were supplied with materials for making arts and crafts.

Representatives from Discover Whitewater, Inc., Katy Wimer, at left, and the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, Karin Silvius, aid shoppers and merchants during Saturday’s event. Discover Whitewater serves as the organizer of the Whitewater Holiday Market, which is in its second year.

Steve Johnson, a Discover Whitewater volunteer, displays a guidebook of year-round activities produced by the organization.

Amy Fox, of Next Home Success, mans a Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored stand selling mulled wine.

Bean Bags by Boy Scouts representative Wyatt Anderson displays his wears.

Elevate Your Vibez representatives Tiff, from left, and Toya, present handcrafted jewelry. The women said they make the items using natural materials such as metals and crystals.

A representative from Stephani’s Spot mans a booth offering homemade foods and handcrafted cards.

Home-jarred pickled vegetables are among food offerings found Saturday at the holiday market.

Crafter Jana Gomez, of Paper Pie, holds an axolotl. The handmade item is one of several crocheted critters found for sale at her booth.

Nihal Osman, of Best Taste, offers an array of fresh baked goods, including baklava and pita bread.

Two photos above: at top, a group of Whitewater High School students, calling themselves the Whitewater High School Carolers, provide music through song near the shore of Cravath Lake. Additionally, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, above, gather near the Cravath Lakefront Park Community Building where they formed and performed as a quartet.

Zachary Popke photos for WhitewaterWise.

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