CJ Day
This Friday, the Staff Senate will host their annual Holiday Market in the lobby of the Buchanan Performing Arts Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The market will feature over 60 tables from about 45 vendors, and displays from various Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) and campus departments.
“It’s a good reason to get out of the office,” says Heather Earl, a member of the Staff Senate committee who helped plan the event.
The Holiday Market is the Staff Senate’s primary fundraiser, and they use the money raised to pay for things that state funding does not cover, like staff scholarships. Earl said for the amount of time the market takes to plan, it offers the biggest bang for its buck.
“In terms of time, it takes half what other events take,” said Earl. “All of us on the senate committee have other jobs, and so it’s nice to not have this event monopolize our lives.”
The event was originally sponsored by the administration and held in the Union, but after that stopped, the Staff Senate stepped up to put it on. While fundraising is the primary goal, there is an aspect of community involvement that made it attractive as an event.
“I went to college here in 1987, and in that year we wanted to follow the football team to a bowl game,” said Earl. “So we held a bake sale at the Holiday Market to come up with the gas money. The market is something that I have a lot of memories of.”
Many RSOs use the market as a chance to fundraise. The International Students and Scholars will be holding a bake sale to help raise money for a medical fund for international students, and the University of Wyoming (UW) Meat Lab will be raffling off some of their choicest cuts. However, the main draw of the market are the local businesses that will have spots.
“There’s a bunch of super creative businesses coming, with a real emphasis on upcycling and recycling old things,” said Earl.
Some popular vendors from last year will be returning, like a business that sells artisanal dog treats and a vendor that will be selling homemade fudge. This year offers a mix of returning vendors and vendors who are new to the event.
“If you’re a crafty person, or are looking for some last-minute gifts for Christmas, or maybe you want to pick things up before you go home, the market will have things you’ll find interesting,” said Earl.
While many students, faculty and staff might struggle to make it to the Performing Arts Center during what may be the last regular day of classes for many, there are some things that might make it a bit easier. UW Acting President Neil Theobald has given all UW employees two and a half hours of release time to be taken at any point during the day to visit the market. In addition, Transit and Parking will relax the enforcement of parking restrictions in the lot directly beside the Buchanan Center for the duration of the event. Earl is particularly proud of this partnership.
“That’s one of the best things about this event,” she said. “Seeing all the different groups on campus get involved.”
The event is not only aimed at UW employees. Students are not only welcome to visit, Earl encourages them to take part in the festivities.
“It’s the last week of the semester, going into a busy week of finals,” she said. “Take some time off, come enjoy yourself.”
