By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great local journalism.
Christmas in Central Park this weekend
Christmas WEB
Lindsey Bradford helps a customer during last years Christmas in Central Park. This years event is Saturday and Sunday. - photo by File photo

If you go

• What: Christmas in Central Park

• When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

• Where: Central Park, 2300 Keith Bridge Road

• Online: christmasincentralpark.com

The Sawnee Artists Association aims to help people with their holiday shopping this weekend.

The group’s eighth annual Christmas in Central Park will bring together more than 80 artisans to sell their wares Saturday and Sunday.

Event organizer Jennie Viers said the popular festival will feature a variety of items, ranging from pottery and jewelry to glassware and toys.

There also will be food and, of course, Christmas decorations.

About 25 of the vendors are members of the artists association, Viers said, and all those at the show will sell only handcrafted items.

The festival, which fills up the Central Park Recreation Center, will also include local entertainment, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus and children’s activities.

A local church will operate the Sugar Plum Café, selling home-baked refreshments.

The association holds the two-day festival to promote the arts and support its scholarship program, Viers said.

“We have so much fun doing this,” she said. “We get to meet a lot of the community and share our love of the arts with the community.”

Current members of the organization discovered the group through this festival, Viers said.

Due to the event’s popularity, parking outside of the recreation center can fill up quickly. But a shuttle will be available to bring people from the upper parking area of the park.