Last Saturday, the Gallatin Civic Center was abuzz with the annual Christmas Harvest Craft Show, an event that consistently attracts large crowds and fills up parking spaces.
Organized by Gallatin’s Parks and Recreation Department and led by Tatum Pryor, the recreation programs supervisor, the Christmas Harvest Craft Show is a cherished event in the Gallatin community.
“This is the 41st year for the Craft Show,” Pryor remarked. “It’s older than the Civic Center. Before the Civic Center was built, they held the show in the basement of City Hall, and then at Vol State.”
Having been at the helm for the past three years, Pryor has a long history with the department.
“I’ve been with the Parks and Recreation Department for 13 years—full-time for the last seven. I worked under Program Supervisor Page Jackson,” Pryor recounted. “When she retired three years ago, I was promoted to supervisor.”
The Christmas Craft Show also supports the Miracle League, a cause close to Pryor’s heart.
“There’s no fee to get into the Craft Show,” Pryor mentioned, “But we do take donations, which go to support the Miracle League. Vendors at the Craft Show contribute items for the raffle, and those proceeds also go to the Miracle League.”
This year, the event showcased approximately 70 vendors, featuring a wide array of Christmas-themed items. Many vendors, including the Schickling family, are regulars who craft their products specifically for this show.
“We’ve been doing this show for 23 years,” said Jay Schickling, “And this is the only event we attend as vendors.”
Residing in Hendersonville, a family of three – a mother, father, and daughter – craft a variety of stained glass items, including decorations, ornaments, nativities, suncatchers, and crocheted Christmas goods.
Under the name Tilly’s Treasures, this Hendersonville-based artistic group produces framed hand-painted watercolor prints, available for $35. Their creations are not only a staple at the Christmas Harvest Craft Show but are also featured at the Gallatin Square Fest, the Streets of Indian Lake in Hendersonville, and the gift shop at the Monthaven Art Gallery.
Known for its distinctive offerings, the Christmas Harvest Craft Show also boasts Frida’s Follies, a vendor renowned for transforming ordinary kitchenware into art pieces, showcasing hand-painted spoon rests and intricately adorned flatware.
“It’s all stainless steel,” insisted Frida’s helper and elf-for-the-day. “It can be used every day.”
Martha Cowan, representing Crossroads Storage and Gifts from Castalian Springs, brought to life an array of Christmas-themed creatures at the event. Her collection included wooly owls and snowmen dressed for winter. Meanwhile, Barbara Demonbreun showcased her talent for repurposing items, embodying the idea that the old can be made new again. A notable example was a blue high-heeled shoe, polished and transformed into a Christmas ornament, doubling as a symbol of University of Kentucky spirit.
Rusticks Designs, Jamie Sisco’s venture, claimed a prominent spot in the Civic Center. The booth featured wooden-slat figures in various designs, like the Grinch, Santa, and a Tennessee Vols-themed snowman sporting an orange nose.
Kelley Ball, the owner of Moss Patch Studio located between White House and Springfield, shared her experience of participating in the Gallatin Christmas Craft Show for over a decade, showcasing her ceramic creations.
“I have a home studio where I teach classes and hold events,” said Ball, who offers “pottery date nights” at the Moss Patch Studio. “I started doing pottery in the eighth grade at Hawkins Middle School. Later on, I took classes at Centennial Art Center. So now I’m a professional potter!”
Information on the Moss Creek Studio classes and special offerings can be found on the website at www.themosspatch.com.
Alongside handmade crafts were homemade foods. For instance, T & L Honey, owned and operated by Loretta Ewing of Dixon Springs, Tenn., offered a variety of Tennessee Jams and Jellies.
“This is my fifth year here,” said Ewing. “There are awesome crowds and it’s great fun.”
Two Heads Heat, an award-winning Middle Tennessee-made barbeque sauce concern, featured its renowned 4-pack of sauces—Ruby and Red BBQ Glaze, Hot Honey, Strawberry Serrano, and Music City Heat.
According to Pryor, this year’s Christmas Harvest Craft Show may have been the best yet.
“I had many vendors tell me they sold out,” Pryor said. “We saw roughly 1,500 people and raised over $300 for the Miracle League,” said Pryor. “I would definitely call it a big success.”
