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Farmers Market announces ‘ugly sweater’ contest winner; special holiday market Dec. 23

(Dec. 21, 2020) Merchants of the Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market on Saturday donned “ugly” holiday sweaters adorned with everything from wacky elves to melting snowmen, and even cracked-up nut crackers. 

Some merchants wore sweaters gifted to them, others bought theirs online or at local stores, and some simply used the tried-and-true method of rooting through the family closet. 

Vendors wore the festive garb as part of the market’s annual ugly Christmas sweater contest, with Margareth Legaspi taking home the top prize.  

Legaspi is the owner of a marketplace boutique shop that offers women's fashion accessories and is also the coordinator of the Kids Market Zone in Ocean Pines. She received a $25 Visa gift card as well as bragging rights to the title of “Best Ugly Christmas Sweater Owner” until next Christmas.  

Up next, the Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market will host a special Christmas Holiday Market on Wednesday, Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon.   

Market Manager David Bean said participating vendors would include artisan merchants, and producers of fresh, local fruits and vegetables, gourmet foods, seafood, meats, and baked goods.  

He said there would be a special emphasis on baked goods.   

“No time to bake dozens of cookies or make the perfect pies? The options available from the market's bakers will be astonishing,” he said. “All of the market's bakeries are now taking special orders for holiday sweets and confections, to be picked up at the Dec. 23 special market day.”  

John Chandler, who manages the artisan section of the market, said the first-ever Christmas Holiday Market would also be filled with artisan merchants.  

"Having trouble with your holiday shopping list? I have four words for you: shop our Artisan Market,” Chandler said. “Shoppers will find last-minute gift ideas, the perfect hostess gift, or just something special for the shopper themselves.”    

Among the items offered will be pottery, leather goods, paintings, and fashions, Chandler said.   

"It's always incredible to see how much love and labor our merchants put into their market shops, especially during the winter holidays,” he added.   

Bean said if all goes well and the day is embraced by the community, plans are that the new Christmas Market could be held each year, on Dec. 23, the day before Christmas Eve."   

The Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market will return to its marketplace at White Horse Park on Saturday, Jan. 2. Market winter hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through March 2021.  

For more information, visit www.oceanpines.org/web/pages/farmers-artisans-market.