A Great American Success
Lisa Lucero, Special to the Gazette
Monday, September 12, 2011
The 8th Annual Great American Market wasn’t just a day to wear a smile on your face, it also was a good day to carry a smile in your hand.
Mark Sherman of Emporia bought a smiley face on a garden stake for 50 cents at one of the vendors at the market on Saturday.
He held it up while walking down Commercial Street for five blocks.
“I had so much fun carrying it across the street,” he said. “I bought it for a friend’s yard as a joke.”
Sherman wasn’t the only one who spotted good deals. Seram Yoon of Seoul, South Korea, said she was stocking up on winter clothing. Yoon said Seoul has sidewalk-type sales downtown too, but she had never shopped at one before.
“Everything is so exciting here,” she said. “I love it here. There are so many clothes to choose from.”
Dona Carpenter said her family comes to The Great American Market every year. She came with her daughter Renee and husband Charles. She bought some candle bars at the market.
“There is a large variety of items and good prices,” Carpenter said.
Casey Woods, executive director of Emporia Main Street, said there were more than 100 vendors at the event and that the shopper turnout was good. Woods also said the “Muslims for Life” blood drive was a great addition to the market.
This is the seventh year that Main Street hosted the event. Woods said The Emporia Gazette held it the first year and has been marketing the event since.
“Without the Gazette’s help, we couldn’t have done this,” he said.
Woods said the weather couldn’t have been any better. There were some minor issues in setting up the event, he said.
“We had to tow a couple of cars this morning,” Woods said. “The rain washed off all of the numbers for the vendors. We had to renumber the vendors. Beyond that everything has run smoothly.”
Brothers of the Third Wheel, a trikers organization, was one of the groups who were accepting donations for a charity. Elroy Kettlemen, assistant state director said most of the proceeds would be given to Camp Alexander, which offers outdoor education and recreation of youth to Lyon County and surrounding areas.
“We were looking for a different place,” he said. “One of the members told us they wanted us to go downtown and do it here.”
Caitlyn Long of Emporia said Burnap Brothers Plumbing were selling towels, candles, baker’s racks and other items. Long said this is her first time ever to work during the event.
“We’ve had a lot of customers,” she said. “It looks like a positive turnout.”
Pattie Carlson of Emporia said she was enjoying the nice weather. She also was working as a vendor for Burnap Brothers Plumbing.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” Carlson said.
sail (anonymous) says...
Wow, that was a nice crowd downtown.
September 13, 2011 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Yes it was.
Another great job by Main Street and the Emporia Gazette.
September 13, 2011 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
This sort of event, happening does more for Emporia and the moral of its citizens than any amount of money spent on wortless, yet expensive, " Rocky " ideas could ever do or will do !
Great job Casey and Main Street, I applaud and congratulate you and all involved in making this event successful and uplifting event. Keep up the good work .
A very grateful thank you .
September 13, 2011 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cwalker (anonymous) says...
Was that complement from Corbin? Can someone go to Town Royal and check on him he must not be feeling well. :)
September 13, 2011 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
NOW THAT WAS FUNNY, RIGHT THERE !
Credit goes, where credit is due, You did good.
September 13, 2011 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
To all those involved with setting up this wonderful day, a tip of the hat. Well done!
Thanks for marketing your wonderful towels, Burnap Bros.
September 13, 2011 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )