Celebrate the season with UW holiday market

Monika Leininger
Mleinin1@uwyo.edu
With the holidays just around the corner the University of Wyoming is hosting its annual holiday market on the main floor of the Union today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The holiday market will feature 70 vendors from the region selling a variety of special gifts and keepsakes for families, friends and loved ones.
“I think it’s a great place to find some unique things, you are not going to find these things on Amazon,” Ryan Dinneen O’Neil, Union special events coordinator said. “Lots of UW branded things, baked goods, clothing, jewelry and other extraordinary gifts.”
The UW holiday market is often attractive to students because of the affordable price range of most products.
“Lots of stuff falls between the $5 to $25 range, so it’s definitely a place where college students can find something,” O’Neil said.
Saleswoman Mary Powers from Denver has been a vendor with the University of Wyoming Holiday Market for the past 15 years.
“I sell lots of handmade goods, bracelets, figurines, books, earrings, hats, coin purses, scarfs, stuffed animals and baskets,” Powers said. “I like different things for different ages so there’s something for everyone.”
Mary Powers has enjoyed the time she has spent on the UW campus and looks forward to interacting with the students each year.
“I like talking to people and seeing that they are pleased with an item,” Powers said. “I get to know the students, and I like to remember their names.”
The holiday market not only has a variety of goods for sale but also offers warm refreshments, a raffle, door prizes, gift wrapping and holiday music in the upper floor of the union. The three different groups performing music include: Holiday Jazz from Bell-tet, Gilmore Gulch trio formed by staff members on campus and an individual artist playing holiday piano.
According to an announcement from the UW presidential office, UW employees are granted two hours of release time to attend the market. The office recommends employees have a collaborative discussion with supervisors to schedule this time.
The event is free and open to public. Parking near the Union may be limited so attendees are encouraged to use the UW shuttle system. For further questions about the holiday market contact the UW events office.