Shop, eat, be merry at annual Christmas in July event
PUBLISHED JULY 14, 2016
By LOIS KINDLE
JENNIFER MCCAFFERTY PHOTOS
Throngs of shoppers turn out annually for Christmas in July at the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce, 1651 Sun City Center Plaza. This year’s fifth annual event will take place on July 23.
All of South Shore is invited to get in some early Christmas shopping at Jen’s Markets’ 5th annual Christmas in July. Billed as a big “street party,” the July 23 event will feature more than 50 vendors and take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. indoors and outside at the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce, 1651 Sun City Center Plaza.
Appearing as one of Santa’s elves, host Jennifer McCafferty will bring back her popular, complimentary “nog” and encourage folks to visit the Jolly Old Soul, aka John Johnston. Folks can shop, eat and listen to live music by singer/guitarist Greg Rabelo, who will appear on the chamber porch throughout the event.
Shoppers will find lots of diversity in the vendor offerings, including fresh produce, handcrafted jewelry, natural teas and soaps, essential oils, and My Sweet Bees honey; scrimshaw, yard and glass art; Swarovski crystals, beach apparel and Stanford’s jerky; and books for kids, seasonal wreaths, home décor and more.
“It’s a fun, community event for people of all ages,” McCafferty said. “There’s something for everyone, and admission is free. Even though it’s held in Sun City Center, we invite everyone in South Shore to come join us.”
In addition to indoor shopping, Christmas in July features outdoor vendors, live music and fair-style food.
C&J Specialty will provide fair-style food, which will include Nathan’s hot dogs, corn dogs and 1/3-pound ground chuck burgers; French fries and Chipstyx; fresh-squeezed lemonade, cold beverages and more. An air-conditioned food tent will be provided.
Part of the proceeds will help pay for expenses incurred in the July 13 Aqua Viva Divas three-room makeover at the Mary & Martha House shelter for women in crisis. McCafferty is current president of the Divas, a nonprofit organization of women who perform volunteer work throughout South Shore.
She also sponsors seasonal markets in Sun City Center and Riverview. Beginning Oct. 5, she will bring back the Sun City Center Outdoor Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month through May in the parking lot of the Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive. “We ran test markets at this golf-cart accessible location and the turnout was awesome. We always have about 40 vendors.”
And starting Oct. 10, The Market at the Y will open at Vance Vogel Park, 9650 Old Big Bend Road, Riverview. McCafferty, who has become a banner sponsor for the YMCA Scholarship Program, is moving the Apollo Beach Market to the new venue “to better serve the South Shore area,” she said. Like its sister market in Sun City Center, The Market at the Y will feature about 40 vendors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
McCafferty also offers her self-contained market team to other organizations hosting large events. Currently she’s working with the Ruskin Community Development Foundation, which is planning to bring back the Ruskin Heritage & Tomato Festival at E. G. Simmons Park May 6 and 7.
Meanwhile, her efforts are focused on Christmas in July.
“We hope the community will come out and support our local, small businesses at this event,” McCafferty said. “It offers great shopping, good eats and a place for friends and neighbors to meet and visit.”
To view a complete list of vendors, visit www.jens-market.com. For additional information, call 813-846-1316.