Tickets are on sale now for the 42nd annual Wellesley Marketplace fine arts fair at Wellesley High School on Saturday, Nov. 17, taking place the Saturday before Thanksgiving. General admission tickets can be purchased at the door for $15 ($5 for students and seniors), and new this year – purchase an advanced premium admission ticket for $20 and not only will you receive exclusive access from 9am-10am for premium ticket holders only, you will receive a complimentary tote bag, perfect for holding all of your unique finds!
Date: Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St., Wellesley, MA 02481
Tickets: General admission $15; students and seniors $5. Advanced premium early-admission tickets $20 (for early entry from 9-10 a.m. and complimentary tote bag)
Where to buy tickets: Roche Bros. and online at http://bit.ly/MarketplaceTix2018. General admission tickets can also be purchased at the door.
Wellesley Marketplace is an annual retail favorite for those seeking unique locally made gifts for family and friends. More than 200 local artists from New England and afar will show off gourmet foods, hostess and teacher gifts, jewelry and clothing, home accessories, ornaments, children’s toys and accessories, even dog toys and treats.
Wellesley Marketplace is the largest fundraiser for the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC), which provides more than $140,000 in need-based college scholarships and community grants each year.
This year, Marketplace will feature the return of many beloved and sought after vendors, including warm and cozy ChappyWraps, personalized baby items from Lauren & Lola and of course, delicious gingerbread houses and cookies by The Gingerbread Company.
“We can’t wait to see everyone at Marketplace again this year!” said Christina and Beth, the mother-daughter duo behind ChappyWrap, “our goal is to spread comfort and love this holiday season with our cozy blankets.”
Many shoppers are already familiar with Lauren & Lola, a company specializing in unique personalized gifts for babies, kids and the young at heart. “As a Wellesley parent with many ties to town, we love participating and supporting a cause that does so much for our community.”
Make sure to stop at The Gingerbread Company, one of the most sought after vendors. Grab a gingerbread boy or girl for the road and don’t forget their gingerbread house kits, which make a perfect holiday treat and activity for the young and old!
This will mark the third year in a row that the event will be held at Wellesley High School. Last year, Marketplace drew a crowd of 1,700 shoppers. We are pleased to offer unrestricted parking at the High School for shoppers this year.
Sustainable Wellesley will be offering free, reusable gift wrapping using Japanese Furoshiki fabric. The Wellesley non-profit is encouraging reusability while offering this service for the second year.
“I love that we can raise money for kids to go to college and to help fund community groups like the PTO, after-school sports and the food pantry–and that we do all of it by setting up an arts marketplace of cool, interesting local artists,” said Marketplace co-chairwoman Jennifer Bonniwell of Wellesley. “This is my favorite shopping event of the year.”
Last year, WHJWC awarded $72,000 in college scholarships to 28 Wellesley High School students. WHJWC also gave $70,500 in grants to Wellesley-area community groups.
Instagram: @wellesleymarketplace; Facebook: @Wellesley-Marketplace
BY THE NUMBERS
1976: First year of Wellesley Marketplace
225: Number of artists exhibiting this year
71%: Percentage of artists from Massachusetts
30: Number of artists from Wellesley, Needham, Newton, Dover or Dedham
37%: Percentage of artists who are new to Marketplace
$140,000: Amount given away in college scholarships and community groups each year by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club
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