Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
“Everybody come gather around
Pick your feet up off the ground
Make a rockling rooting sound
Gonna have country Christmas
Grab your mother and grab your dad
Finest day we’ve ever had
Spend the holiday clad in plaid
Gonna have a country Christmas”
What could be better this time of year than experiencing a local country Christmas? It's time for the second annual Christmas in the Country hosted by The Greenup County Farmers Market at Imel’s Greenhouse on Friday, Dec. 9 from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Come support the local farmers and artisans this holiday season. All the items you will find at Christmas in the Country are homemade. The market will include over 40 vendors, food trucks with Styes Guys BBQ and the Dragonfly Outdoor Cafe, wreath decorating competition, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa!
Kayla Shafer previously managed the farmers market for two years and is part of the planning committee for the Country in the Christmas event. Shafer shared, “There’s five of us who meet. We’ve been meeting every month since March to prepare. We’re now meeting weekly to get everything ready. Imel’s has been extremely helpful by letting us use their facilities for our market. People should attend to help support the local economy by shopping local! Most vendors set up are a part of our farmers market. We have homemade sweets, hand sewn items, wood pieces and everything in between. The proceeds of the event go to the Greenup County Farmers Market and Shop with a Cop.”
The wreath decorating contest is open to anyone who’s feeling creative! Entries must be registered by December 1. Email Kayla Shafer at
Shaffer is looking forward to this year’s event, “I enjoy being a part of the Christmas market. It’s all volunteers. It’s nice when you work really hard and plan every detail and then see it all come together. We had a lot of compliments last year and got to see a lot of smiling faces.” Shaffer anticipates seeing more Christmas cheer at Christmas in the Country this year. It’s an event you don’t want to miss!
Kenny Imel, who owns Imel’s Greenhouse and is giving usage of the greenhouse to the farmers market, praised the efforts this event brings to the community, “It’s a super event! The cool thing about this event that makes it different from other vendor events is that you actually get to talk with the guy who makes it. We also all need to support our local farmers and artisans. We can’t build a community if we aren’t willing to support what we have.” By attending Christmas in the Country, you can experience the beautiful countryside on the drive, buy from local farmers and artisans and donate to the building of a farmers market facility for the Greenup County Farmers Market. Everyone will be gathered around for the finest event in town. Wear your plaid and come on down!