MARSHALL, N.C. (828newsNOW) — On Dec. 6, downtown Marshall will transform into an affordable street market just in time for Christmas. Over 80 vendors will be in attendance, with town storefronts decked out in holiday regalia all over Main Street.

The event, Christmas on Main, will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 on South Main Street, Marshall, N.C.

Parking will be available at A-B Tech Madison, Bonnie and Clyde’s Appalachian Cuisine, Community Housing Coalition, Madison County Tax Department, Madison Early College High School and NC Farm Bureau Insurance.

Background

Marshall was one of the Western North Carolina communities most directly impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall. Floodwaters from the French Broad River, which runs adjacent to the small mountain town, destroyed many homes and businesses in the downtown area. Nonetheless, the subsequent year has seen a period of resiliency and rebuilding for Marshall.

“Downtown Marshall is well on their way of being greater than what they was before the flood,” said Christmas on Main coordinator Crystal Ball. “The waters come through and it spared absolutely not one person in town. Not all the stores have opened back up, but the ones that have opened up, they’re doing great.”

However, despite the resurgence of downtown Marshall storefronts, foot traffic in the community has not been what it was. According to Ball, several community gathering places, like the Madison County Courthouse, Marshall Town Hall and the Marshall Fire Department have not returned to Main Street, which has greatly impacted the number of people wandering through local stores and restaurants.

“So many everyday traffic places are gone down there. So, that took away a lot of your foot traffic, because while people were waiting for that kind of stuff, they would always go down the streets checking out the stores,” Ball explained.

Ball and her fellow coordinator, Katie Green, organized Christmas on Main as an opportunity to return that traffic to town.

What to expect at Christmas on Main

The street fair will run from “red light to red light” on South Main Street, Ball said. Over 80 vendors will be spread out along the street, as well as across a nearby parking lot.

The festival was designed with affordability in mind.

“This is not an artisan’s high ticket item market,” Ball said. “This is your old-fashioned market. There’s something for everyone. The prices will range anywhere from a dollar all the way to $350. So, literally, there is something for everyone in town.”

Almost everyone in town will be participating, too. Downtown Marshall shops will be participating in a holiday storefront decorating competition, which shoppers will be able to vote on at the Christmas on Main visitor booth, located in the middle of Main Street.

As part of the registration for Christmas on Main, each vendor was required to donate one item from their store to a prize basket. The storefront with the most votes for their downtown decor will take home the basket as a prize.

Marshall magic

While Ball has been working on bringing a street fair to Marshall for several years, hosting it at Christmas this year felt right.

“Christmas is always near and dear to my heart. It’s just a time that we just need to come together. I can’t really explain, it’s just a feeling I had that I thought this needed to be brought together at this time of the year,” Ball said. “If this goes good, we plan on doing this as an annual event year after year, mostly to bring the community together, and bring customers and revenue to the town of Marshall.”

For more information about Christmas on Main, visit their Facebook page.