HAGERSTOWN – The annual Kris Kringle Holiday Craft event returned to the Coach Jim Brown Court and Basketball Arena at Hagerstown Community College on Saturday Nov. 22 and Sunday Nov. 23.
This year marked the 41st year that the event took place at HCC, and this year over 260 vendors both outside the arena entrance and inside the gymnasium. Brian Pitsnogle and his son, Chris, have run the event for the past 10 years and said that it is a family-operated business.
“My dad and I own the event, and members of our family help run it.” Chris explained, “and we donate 60-70% of the proceeds to the HCC athletic fund and to various charity organizations around the area.”
He also explained that this event is not like other holiday-themed events, mostly because of the vendors that participate. All vendors are closely screened and vetted by the Pitsnogle’s to ensure that every vendor sells only handcrafted goods. There are no “buy and sell” vendors allowed. This makes the event unique for shoppers who know they are getting one-of-a-kind items for both decorations and gifts.
The vendors in attendance were certainly unique. There were artisans of every type. Artists, authors, jewelry makers, clothing sellers and even a variety of items for pets. There was also a wide range of culinary vendors from popcorn to fresh-made pastries.
Speaking of food, after a long shopping session, one no doubt worked up an appetite. There were concessions outside in the form of food and coffee trucks, and inside there was a large concession stand near the entrance and several on the selling floor. Cookies, pretzels, hot dogs, chicken fingers and, of course, hot and cold drinks were waiting around every corner.
The event is one of the most popular in the area, and the turnout was pleasing for Brian and Chris.
“We love doing the event, because we love giving back to the community,” an enthusiastic Chris explained. “Many of the vendors have been coming here for years, so we are continuing to support local businesses and offering a great shopping experience for the community.”
I spoke to several of the shoppers whose hands were overflowing with gifts and décor, and they all had the same thing to say. They look forward to the event every year, and it just keeps getting better.
