Judie Mackie
Santa Claus is coming to town! That's right, you are invited to an amazing farmers' and arts market Saturday, featuring FREE pictures with Santa Claus from 10:00 - noon! Located between Centre and Alachua Streets, on North Seventh Street in historic downtown, the Fernandina Beach Market Place and the Fernandina Beah Arts Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Enjoy over 40 booths of freshly baked breads, wild-caught shrimp, hot sauces, prepared foods, dip mixes, seasonal produce, poinsettias, Christmas cactus, hand poured candles, homemade soap and more. The Fernandina Beach Arts Market is adjacent to the farmers market and home to an additional 30 booths of fine arts, crafts, pottery, leather goods, wood working, mixed media art, acrylics, fabrics, and more vendors who will be set up behind Pineland Bank. Look for Kim's Kreations and her holiday inspired home decor', Mike's Makings yard art and bird houses, and Jen McPhee of Regina Maris Studio with her original acrylic paintings.
Dickens on Centre is this weekend, too, so enjoy complimentary parking at the Nassau County School Board lot, across Atlantic Avenue from Central Park. Enjoy the fresh air and take the three-block walk down to the farmers and arts markets. Afterward, head west and stroll through several blocks of a Christmas inspired London-like village and then hop onboard a FREE Anchor Trolley ride back to your parking space.
Both the arts and farmers markets are jumping on the Dickens on Centre theme and will be dressing the part. Look for Chef Thompson to offer English Stilton and Walnut Scones. He will also have Toad in the Hole Rolls, 12th Night Cake, and Ye Ole Asparagus and Goat Cheese Bundles. Other holiday inspired items from Jolly old England include Dave's award-winning Rub-A-Dub-Dub rubs, dried beast from Mad Mike's Jerky, and sweet honey from St Mary's Bee Ranch.
In addition to whispering your heart's desires to Santa, live music will be provided by The Awkward Clauses Band! The rest of the year this band is known as Awkward Pauses, but Saturday you can expect to see Santa's on vocals and lead guitar, one of the reindeer on vocals and bass, and the mean, stinky Grinch will be playing the drums. Our Booth With a Cause is Nassau Habitat for Humanity where you can learn about their "Five in 2025" initiative - where this nonprofit intends to complete five homes for five deserving families next year.
As the end of the year draws near, we will soon be completing our yearlong dive into products you would find in a coastal market 200-years-ago, compared to what you would find in the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market today. In 1825, Fernandina was part of early Florida settlements, and natural remedies were common due to the limited availability of conventional medicine. Just as the settlers of yesteryear relied upon local ingredients and traditional practices for health tonics and remedies, people today are aware of overly processed products and are looking for more natural remedies to treat what ails them. While you may not have found Fire Cider by name in an 1825 market, we do have it today. Most of the ingredients for this tonic were readily available 200 years ago in Fernandina, and the trading post of 1825 likely had a similar product.
Apple Cider Vinegar is the base ingredient of today's Fire Cider. Known for its antimicrobial and digestive properties, scientist believe it helps in reducing blood sugar, leads to a lower caloric diet, and when diluted has been found to be good for your skin and hair. In 1825, garlic was used as a poultice or ingested to fight infections and boost immunity. Studies have shown garlic to be effective against certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Garlic also helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Ginger, popular in a seaport, is an anti-inflammatory, supports circulation, and has been proven to reduce nausea and improve digestion. Fire Cider recipes vary but many also include horseradish, onion, hot peppers, turmeric, honey, and citrus. Market vendor, Joanna Ocean of Empowered Journey Herbals, makes elderberry syrup and fire cider, and the fresh batch of fire cider she is bringing to the Market Place Saturday includes cranberry and pomegranate. The health benefits of some ingredients in fire cider make it a valuable addition to natural wellness routines, however, studies on fire cider as a whole are limited. It's best used in moderation and as part of a balanced lifestyle.
The farmers market is open every Saturday of the year. The arts market will be open each Saturday until the end of the year. for the most recent information, please follow both markets online or on social media.
Judie Mackie can be reached at Judie@PirateCommunications.com.