Niles Buchanan YMCA opens Hometown Christmas Market to public

NILES, Mich. -- The Niles-Buchanan YMCA welcomed families and local businesses Saturday for its second annual Hometown Christmas Market Festival, opening the event to the public for the first time in an effort to give back to the community ahead of the holidays.

The free market featured more than 40 local vendors and was also free for vendors to participate, highlighting small businesses while offering families a chance to shop local with Christmas around the corner. Holiday characters including Santa Claus and the Grinch greeted guests throughout the morning.

“So we offer free space for the vendors just because we are, you know, in the community. We want to support the community, so shopping local and shopping with small businesses, this is a free option for them to kind of make a little extra money before the holiday season,” said Marissa Keultjes, marketing director for the YMCA.

The YMCA launched the Hometown Market last year as an event exclusively for YMCA children. Organizers said opening it to the public this year was a simple decision aimed at spreading cheer and creating a shared holiday experience.

“This is such a fun time for kids, especially, so go kind of give them that little bit of experience right before Christmas, honestly it's magical. Really, I mean, it's everything. Everybody smiling and laughing and just comes together,” Keultjes said.

Vendors also found ways to give back during the event. Missy Wilson, owner and drink creator of Pop Fizz, said her business donated a portion of its sales back to the YMCA.

“The goal is to bring the community together to celebrate the holidays, and for us at pop fizz community is super important, and we are donating back 20 percent of our proceeds today to the Y,” Wilson said.

In addition to shopping, families enjoyed cookie decorating, face painting and live performances, keeping the holiday spirit alive even for those who had already finished their gift shopping.

“I want to be a bright light in the community and give back where I can... and all of these people are here to bring joy to someone else for the holiday season,” Wilson said.

As the market wrapped up this year’s festivities, organizers said they are already looking ahead, hoping to continue growing the event and bringing holiday magic to the YMCA in the years to come.