Over 400 shoppers packed the Graves County Extension Office on Saturday as the Mayfield Downtown Farmers Market transformed Small Business Saturday into a lively holiday celebration featuring more than 40 local vendors, festive activities, and a visit from Santa Claus.
The event, originally scheduled for the farmers market pavilion, exceeded expectations after organizers made the decision to move indoors due to cold and wet weather. Executive Director Jill Celaya said the shift ultimately benefited everyone.
“With Saturday’s cold wind, moving inside made it more comfortable—and it ended up working in our favor,” Celaya said.
Attendance was tracked in part by the 400 shopping bags supplied by FNB Bank, which were gone by early afternoon. Market board member Kim Brand said the actual number felt even higher as the parking lot filled and families lined up for vendor booths and activities.
Santa made appearances throughout the day, with organizers estimating he saw around 150 children. Young shoppers also wrote letters at the market’s Santa mailbox, participated in a scavenger hunt, and enjoyed cookies and treats in a designated activity area.
With a strong turnout and positive feedback from vendors and shoppers alike, market leaders say they will begin planning for next season in January, hoping to build on the momentum created during this year’s successful Holiday Market.
