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.

Although its standard sales have closed for the year, the Lawrence Farmers’ Market will return for a special holiday edition in early December.

The 29th annual Holiday Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 200 McDonald Drive.

About 60 vendors who participated in the summer market are expected to sell various items, including the produce seen at the summer and fall markets, said Karen Pendleton, one of the Holiday Market’s organizers.

“A lot of people have bought from these people all summer long and they know who they are,” she said. “It’s a nice get-together for all the vendors to celebrate each other for the holidays and with all of our customers.”

She said many sellers have raised produce in high tunnels, similar to greenhouses, to allow for the sale of produce that is out of season.

“There will be fresh greens, lettuce of all kinds, spinach and radishes,” she said. “They will also have winter squashes, sweet potatoes and things that are more storage-type produce.”

Additionally, the Holiday Market allows vendors to expand their sales from their normal products to any item they have made themselves. Pendleton said Courtney Skeeba, who sells goat products such as soap and butter during the normal farmers market, also makes glass products by hand.

“She has really unique glass-blown items,” she said. “That’s something she can’t sell at the farmers market because it doesn’t allow crafts, but that’s something she can sell (at the Holiday Market).”

Pendleton said many vendors will also be selling a variety of meats, such as pork, elk, beef, chicken and lamb.

“If you are needing a specialty meat for the holidays, it’s really nice to pick that up there,” she said.

Although the event is open until 5 p.m., Pendleton said most customers seem to show up in the morning. She said some customers may find it easier to shop in the afternoon.

“Everybody brings enough stuff that they’ll be there for the duration (of the event),” she said. “There will be plenty of things in the afternoon. Some vendors even put their stuff on sale.”

Pendleton said the items for sale at the event are perfect for the holiday season.

“There are a lot of reasonably priced items that are really good for stocking stuffers,” she said. “You are going to find gifts, as well as food that you could use to feed your family for the holidays.”