This year, the well attended and anticipated Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace has gone virtual. Like many events this season being cancelled due to covid-19, the Glen Lake Chamber decided to find a way to hold this shopping event online. “We didn’t want to miss a beat. Whether we pick up the event in person next year or not, we can continue to use the work we’re putting in now and be able to also host it online for years to come,” explains Patricia Widmayer, the event coordinator for the Chamber and owner of Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Cottages. While normally we host 25-30 artists in person at the Town Hall with 1,700 people attending, we have about 17 artisans participating to sell their goods online or by phone/email. “With the help of our already strong event following and marketing, we expect this year to still be a success for all who participate.”  Patricia is working closely with fellow artisan and friend Carol Murray, who is helping with the planning and execution of this event. 

The Glen Lake Chamber will be using a Facebook page to post updates and to connect the participating artisans with interested shoppers. Instead of just one day of in-person shopping, this year artisans can reach shoppers for over 1 month. The event will be open and live from November 7th – December 18th. Look for updates on Facebook about the event and details on how to shop: https://www.facebook.com/glenarborholidaymarketplace

Connect & Shop Participating Artisans:

Additionally, the Tree Lighting & Caroling, a long-time tradition that takes place in front of the Glen Arbor Township Hall – usually timed with the opening of the Holiday Market preview party Friday evening on Thanksgiving weekend. In light of the Holiday Market being cancelled, plus the impossibility to social distance, we decided it would be fun to make a video to post instead, while cancelling the in-person event. Marketing director and local resident, Raquel Jackson shares, “It’s been necessary to make decisions that impact public events for the concern of keeping everyone safe, but I hated to see this joy-filled tradition not happen. Video was the obvious answer to alternatively host the event. We were so pleased when we reached out to the Glen Lake Church and they agreed to help us make it possible. I love the simplicity of the event and the way it brings people together of all ages and beliefs. It will be awesome to see this holiday tradition bring a bit of love and light in a new way.”

The Glen Lake Chamber purchased new LED lights to re-decorate the trees that will be strung up by the Glen Lake Fire Department. Plus, members from Glen Lake Church’s worship team will perform carols with the lighting of the tree, while a local will provide professional video support. The Chamber will pre-record the event, then post the video on Facebook for all to see Thanksgiving weekend.

Graphics and Marketing for the Glen Lake Chamber by Raquel Jackson, Rockwell Art & Design