photo by: Mike Yoder

Jennifer Schwering, Lawrence, picks out some decorated gourd Christmas tree ornaments at the Pendleton’s Country Market booth at the 2008 Holiday Farmers’ Market at Knights of Columbus Hall.

As Barry Billings was making the rounds at the Holiday Farmers’ Market, his tote bag was nearing capacity.

It was stuffed with elk burgers, cornmeal hamburger buns, jellies, dog bones and a magic cabbage.

“I love coming out here and seeing all the stuff. It’s a great place to get Christmas gifts for people, and the food is always great,” the Lawrence resident said.

Billings wasn’t alone in his quest for local food and holiday presents. Business was buzzing and the parking lot overflowing at the annual Holiday Farmers’ Market in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2206 E. 23rd St.

The event had 45 vendors — all regulars during Lawrence’s spring/summer/fall market — spread out on two floors of the hall. On sale were vegetables, honey, meats, scarves, hats, teas, balms and baked goods.

Amy Saunders, of Amy’s Meats and organizer of the event, said it was an opportunity for many of the vendors to show their “alter egos” and display a more creative side.

“Many of these (products) are the hobbies we do in the winter time,” she said.

A few booths over, Richard Bean was sporting a tuxedo, which is a somewhat fancier attire than what the owner of Blossom Trail Bee Ranch wears during the summer farmers’ market.

With the regular local farmers’ market ending in early November, Bean said Saturday’s event was a nice chance to catch up with neighboring vendors. And he was seeing lots of interest in his beeswax, honey and candles. “The economy may not affect us,” he said.

After getting off a plane from Germany on Friday afternoon, Michele Kaminski of Michele’s Culinary Creations had stayed up all night baking. On the table in front of her were breads and other baked goods wrapped in festive green and red packaging just waiting to be snapped up as presents.

The all-nighter was worth it, she said. Business was brisk.

Cheryl and Jim Hunter were among those shopping for presents. In Cheryl’s hands were two CDs from the bluegrass band The Prairie Acre, who were the featured entertainment at the market.

The draw to Saturday’s event, the couple said, was the market’s unique offerings.

“It’s very refreshing to shop somewhere with one-of-a-kind items, made with love, where you get to see the people who make the product. And you feel like you are supporting the local economy and real people instead of shareholders of big corporations,” Jim Hunter said.