Mistletoe Market at Wakefield High School makes a lasting impression every year on Wakefield’s public image. Small businesses and vendors presented their products this past Nov. 9 to eager shoppers. Some of the products available varied from handcrafted items to baked goods and even food trucks. Every year, people of all ages go to Mistletoe Market to enjoy the holiday atmosphere and support local small businesses.
Emily Bernstein, the president of the Wakefield High School PTSA, has enjoyed running the Mistletoe Market for the past four years. She realizes it is time-consuming and detail-intensive, but she is grateful to work with a great group of parents and community members to get the job done.
“As the outgoing President of the PTSA and the mom of a senior, this will be my last year working Mistletoe Market,” Bernstein said. “I am one hundred percent confident that I am leaving the event in more than capable hands.”
Jill Clayton, a vendor from a soap and body company, has been a vendor at Mistletoe Market for the past two years. The market is a special place to them as they are locals to Wakefield and want to make an impact on their community. She enjoys providing customers with whatever necessities they might need from their business.
“[I love] being able to see so many familiar faces and to supply products that our buyers will be excited to share as gifts for their friends and family for the holiday season,” Clayton said.
Junior Josey Geolas is working with the Wakefield Theatre Company during Mistletoe Market to hand out flyers for the upcoming show, Descendants. This year she also helped vendors set up their booths in preparation for the event. As she is working, she likes to support the small businesses who are a part of the market.
“This job has definitely taught me about future jobs and studies, as it teaches you to take action in order to be helpful,” Geolas said.
Junior Abby Godwin has also helped in previous years to ensure Mistletoe Market runs smoothly. This includes setting up raffle baskets, booths and being a helpful hand to anyone who may need one. Godwin enjoys the holiday atmosphere of the market and the student engagement that is put into Mistletoe Market.
“It is also a great place to make friends,” Godwin said. “It could acclimate many freshmen to high school life and organizations.”
Generally, the Mistletoe Market is a fun-filled event that gets better and better every year, that helps many mark the beginning to the holiday season, which makes it all the more exciting for both guests and those working at it alike.
“If I had to pick one moment in time, it is looking outside the school before we open the doors and seeing a line of people waiting to come [and] enjoy Mistletoe Market,” Berstein said.
