High Hopes 9^th Annual Holiday Market    Old Lyme, CT

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding is gearing up to welcome over 3,000 visitors to their farm in Old Lyme on November 17, for their 9^th Annual Holiday Market.

The Market will feature more than 60 carefully curated vendors together with food trucks, kids’ activities, wine & beer tasting tent, and a whole barn full of holiday spirit. “Fabulous artisans come to the Market from all over Connecticut, and well beyond, to share their wares,” explains Trudy Burgess, High Hopes’ Events Manager. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., over 3,000 visitors will come through the farm gates in search of holiday inspiration. “They’ll find something for everyone on their list from handmade silver jewelry to unique upcycled clothing, woolly socks to silk scarves, scratch-made soap to homemade honey, babies’ gifts to coffee table books, and cheesemakers to bakers,” says Burgess who, with her volunteer Market Committee, spends nearly a year planning this day.

But it’s not just about shopping – the Market is a fun day out for the whole family and a real community event. “Thanks to our Market Partner, Benchmark Wealth Management of Old Lyme, entry to the market is free,” describes Development Director, Sara Qua. “All we ask is that visitors bring a non-perishable food item for the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries.” For the past few years, High Hopes’ Holiday Market has been the largest single-day collection point for the SSKP – “we are very proud that last year our market visitors donated over 3,000lbs. of food just in time for the Holidays,” Qua says.

As well as a wide range of vendors and some of the hottest food trucks on the Shoreline, there will be plenty of kids’ activities. Students from The Williams School will be entertaining the little ones with crafts, games, and face-painting. “Take time to walk the beautiful ‘runway’ and meet our very special herd of therapy horses,” says Kitty Stalsburg, Executive Director at High Hopes, “visiting us on this fun day is also a low-key way for prospective participants and volunteers to learn how they and their families can benefit from the unique power of therapeutic horsemanship. It’s always a source of volunteers for our programs,” she says.

Back in the massive barn, which is transformed for the day into a bustling market place, Lyme resident, and celebrity chef, Jacques Pépin, will be signing copies of his cookery books. The Author’s Corner will also feature local photographer and author of A Connecticut Christmas, Caryn Davis; best-selling author, Old Lyme resident, and Emmy Award-winning sit-com writer David Handler; and New York Times and international bestseller Beatriz Williams. Williams, also a resident of Lyme, will also be signing copies of her historical novels including The Golden Hour and The Summer Wives.

The food court will feature an impressive line-up of Connecticut’s best food trucks. The Whey Station will serve their not-to-be-missed gourmet grilled cheese; Flanders Fish Market will have piping hot New England Clam Chowder; Taco Pacifico will provide a taste of the south, and Meriano’s Bake Shop will have their delicious Cannolis. Who can resist Fryborg Fries, wood-fired pizza from The Rolling Tomato, freshly-popped Maple Korn, or Supreme Hot Dogs?
One lucky winner will drive away in a brand new 2019 Subaru Forester 2.5i, in a raffle sponsored by Reynolds’ Subaru, someone else will be enjoying a six-day luxury vacation in Panama for eight people.

Grab a group of friends and your passport for a tasting tour du monde. The experts from Grand Wine & Spirits will be piquing your palate with a selection of wines and beers from twelve of the world’s best-producing regions. Gourmet Galley Catering will be tempting your taste buds with seasonal small-bites and holiday treats and be one of the first to taste the new Tenessee Apple whiskey with the folks from Jack Daniels. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online for $30 (a 25% saving and you’ll be fast-tracked into the tent on the day too!) Tickets on the day will be $40 on a first-come-first-served basis. State or Federal photographic I.D. will be required for all entrants.

Tickets for the tasting tent and raffle are available online at highhopestr.org.