It was a brisk morning that turned into a perfect, sunny winter’s day on Saturday, December 11, for the outdoor 2021 Alumbra de Questa Christmas Market. A dozen vendors sold handmade hand-crafted products and gifts to a steady stream of shoppers who strolled between the booths from 10 am to 4 pm.
Held in Questa’s outdoor market site where the summer Farmer’s Market takes place, the Questa Economic Development Fund organized the event and decorated the outdoor area with greenery, wreaths, and holiday décor. Other generous community sponsors included the Village of Questa, the LOR Foundation, the Taos Community Foundation, and Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation. Their support helped to promote and advertise the event, ensured the festivities included a full day visit from Santa Claus (who handed out gifts to each child); live music and holiday carols throughout the event, and wood-burning fire pits as well as mushroom heaters, to keep the crowd warm.
Vendors offered unique, high-quality gifts of painted artwork, ceramics, hand-carved/hand-tooled wooden furniture and fixtures, handmade leather bags, belts, and accessories, jewelry, Christmas wreaths and decorations, and even homemade eco-friendly fabric Christmas bags to use in lieu of disposable wrapping paper.
Evelyn’s Treats helped keep everyone fed and in the holiday spirit with Christmas cookies, cakes, and pies. Proprietor Wendy Medina and her daughter Alex served local favorites: tamales, green chile, and Frito Pies. Valerie Rael from Rael’s Store & Coffee Shop complemented the holiday fare with peppermint-topped hot chocolate, hot cider, and coffee—perfect for taking the chill off the day!
Alumbra kicked off the “Shop Questa” holiday campaign to remind everyone to shop local and make purchases from local merchants, restaurants, and artisans to keep the holiday spirit—and revenue—circulating.
The LOR Foundation helped launch “Shop Questa” by providing free reusable shopping bags to shoppers. These worked well to hold all of their purchases; and they will serve to further promote the “Shop Questa” Initiative throughout the year, as these bags become a common sight in the Questa area!
Thanks to everyone who participated as vendors or shoppers at the 2021 Alumbra de Questa Market. Special appreciation is extended to our sponsors for their support that made the event possible. And the biggest thank you to Dina Coleman, at QEDF, for planning, putting on, and making this event a success!
