George Caldwell ’24
News Editor
On Dec. 1, CAB marked the beginning of the season with its Holiday Market, now a longstanding tradition. The event took place in the spacious Hogan Ballroom, where 28 businesses, the most ever, laid out their wares. It was a lively event, and vendors sold everything from NFL-themed Christmas ornaments to alpaca fiber clothing.
CAB member Éowyn Bailey ‘26 welcomed community members to the market. “I had the opportunity to interact with the vendors and customers, answering whatever questions they had. I also helped pack up various items CAB had set up as prizes that customers could win, and offered the vendors help in packing up their merchandise,” she said. Bailey was referencing the many prizes that vendors had donated so that students could compete for them in a raffle. Students received a red ticket from vendors upon purchasing an item, so they could place the ticket in a variety of mason jars depending on the prize they wished to win.
Bailey enjoyed taking in the sights and sounds of the Holiday Market. She added, “Some of the highlights of the market were the prizes (generously donated by or at least purchased from vendors, I believe); the variety of merchandise being sold, which could make perfect gifts for the holidays or just because; and the ability to spend time with friends/others, browsing the Hogan ballroom to look at various tables and their offerings. Two of the stalls that caught my eye were the ones selling alpaca-wool items, and the other ornaments with book quotes.”
CAB works to provide weekly recreation and entertainment to the campus community. Bailey believes that the Holiday Market succeeded in this goal, saying, “Even though I was personally only at the market for the last hour, I believe that the people I saw at it were enjoying themselves and finding wonderful new buys. It was also definitely the talk of much of the Holy Cross community the days leading up to it, and the ones following it. I think the Holiday Market in general is a great way to build community because you get to know people, appreciate local businesses, and spend time with friends who go with you.” The Holiday Market succeeded thanks to the local businesses and to CAB members such as Bailey.
Featured image courtesy of The Expo.
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