Even when nothing special is going on, downtown Ligonier has the aspect of a quaint little movie set.
Add holiday decorations, music wafting from the gazebo on the Diamond and shoppers strolling the streets, and it’s picture-perfect — as it was on Nov. 30 as crowds took advantage of free parking and merchant specials for Small Business Saturday.
Another big reason to visit was the Ligonier Country Market’s Christmas Market, featuring artisans, crafters and food producers and processors whose goods adhere to the summer market’s “Make It, Bake It or Grow It” motto.
In its 12th year, the Christmas Market had grown enough to require two venues. In addition to its traditional home in the Ligonier Valley YMCA, the market also hosted vendors in the nearby Ligonier Valley Library.
Just about any holiday item needed to decorate the home, serve to guests or slip under the tree was to be found among about 100 participating sellers.
Strolling the Y with a handful of bags, Eric Caldwell said he and his wife, Nancy Caldwell, had bought “salsa, maple syrup, all the basic food groups.”
For little ones bored with shopping, a group of elves took over a Y classroom for gingerbread house-building. The library offered a table of LEGOs, and outside town hall was a mailbox with direct service to Santa.
Seen: LCM executive director Cari Frei, Linda O’Sullivan, Judy Jupina, Jeff and Lori Mack, Melissa Cortazzo, Ashton Cortazzo, Carol Solich, Taylor Solich, Rob and Sherri Kopko, Beth Durci, Linda Morris, Liz Douglas, Patty Douglas, Mary Ann Scanlon, Pat and Barb Hutchison, Star Herbertson, Oz and Louise Dean, Bruce Shirey and Shirley Iscrupe.
