HOLMES BEACH – It was difficult to find a parking space and sidewalks were packed at the Dec. 1 Holmes Beach Holiday Open House.
The event is a partnership between the City of Holmes Beach, Bradenton Area Arts and Culture, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island (AGAMI) and several Holmes Beach businesses.
During the market, businesses have extended hours, allowing them to showcase what they have to offer with sidewalk sales, live music and product demonstrations.
The business spearheading the event is the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island (AGAMI), which had artist demonstrations on the sidewalk in front of the gallery, live music from Larry Wilhelm and a large assortment of Christmas ornaments created by member artists prominently displayed in the front window for sale to the public. AGAMI President Janet Razze said the ornaments have been a big hit with shoppers.
“A lot of the artists have created ornaments for sale. We have a bunch in the front window and they’ve been flying off the shelves,” Razze said. “We have a lot of new artists coming on. In fact, we have a waitlist. It’s great.”
It wasn’t just AGAMI that was drawing a crowd on the sidewalk and inside the business. A large crowd lined up to enjoy free snacks from Pizzano’s Pizza and Grinders, D Coy Ducks, Small Town Creamery, howluckyami, Irene’s Clothing Store, the Sand Dollar, The Feast, Hurricane Hank’s, Freckled Fin and The Doctor’s Office.
The event normally takes place on the second Friday of the month, but it was held on Dec. 1 to coincide with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce tree lighting ceremony. The Holmes Beach Night Market returns on Friday, Jan. 12.
