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Fall fun returns to Olde Towne on October 9

By Sherry Lucas

Pet Parade

The Fall for Clinton Market and Pet Parade returns on October 9 with all the welcome crispness of an autumn breeze, and the sunniness of an October sky.

As a run-up to the holiday season, this market also catches a couple of fun fall ones, too, so keep an eye out for pumpkins, harvest themes, falling leaves, scarecrows and turkey fun among the handcrafted creations of market vendors. Shoppers will find a wide range of creative expressions, in artwork, jewelry, decor, baked treats, woodworking, candles, soaps, glass, ceramics and more.

With about 70 vendors registered by late September, and a few more expected by deadline, an expected 75 to 80 will line the brick streets to offer fun browsing and buying opportunities, starting at 9 a.m. that Saturday.

Shoppers will likely find some new faces in the vendor mix, as people channeled the abundance of home time into cool new handiwork.

Clarisse Crider’s Earthologie offers handmade embroidery kits with her own designs, so customers can turn their own down time into artwork.

“They’re really beginner friendly,” says Crider, a former elementary schoolteacher who turned those how-to skills in a new direction, helping others learn how to embroider. “I break down the steps, so you can pick up a needle, get started on it and be happy with it.

“I started doing embroidery about six years ago, and when the pandemic hit, I was teaching from home and had more time to focus on my business,” Crider says. “That’s when I started to provide embroidery kits. My business basically exploded, because everyone was at home, wanting to do something.” Custom baby name signs and pet portraits have proved especially popular, as well as her nature-inspired and modern bohemian designs.

“I just to try to make products that make people happy.”

The markets in Clinton have a special appeal, she says — open-air, family-friendly and set in the beautiful and historic Olde Towne setting.

Leslie Harper Hansen and her LCH Treat Factory can satisfy the sweet tooth with hot cocoa bombs, cake pops and cakesicles, DIY cupcake decorating kits, chocolate dipped treats and more. Find some Halloween-themed fun at her booth, as well as fall flavors and nods to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A Halloween-themed cupcake kit can include Mummyfetti (vanilla sprinkles), Haunted Chocolate (chocolate sprinkles) and more.

Hansen made cakes about twelve years ago, and reactivated the hobby during the pandemic. Family and discerning friends are happy to help in the quality control realm, as taste testers who’ll stand ready to take care of leftovers, too. Catch the flavor of the season in pumpkin spice and salted caramel cocoa bombs, a hot caramel apple cider bomb, Halloween decorated cake pops and more.

Myrth Designs jewelry by Suzanne Sullivan got its start during the pandemic, inspired by a pair of earrings Sullivan’s daughter gave her.

“It was kind of like, hmm, I can do this,” Sullivan says. “I had just retired, and it’s been a retirement hobby.” Now, she makes polymer earrings in all kinds of different sizes, shapes and colors, some with pressed dried flowers, some with marbling, and more. She’ll have fall-themed creations, too, with pumpkins, fall leaves and earthy fall colors.

A special attraction of Fall for Clinton is always the Pet Parade, offering owners the chance to show off their cute charges in a friendly competition.

“It’s always so fun,” says Main Street Clinton Director Tara Lytal. Particular pets in the parading menagerie are recognized for Best Costume, Best Trick, Smallest Pet and Largest Pet.

While the entries are mostly of the canine persuasion, past parades have also enjoyed a few parrot entries, as well as a sugar glider (a small gliding possum). As the calendar inches closer to Halloween, the costume creativity always brings a smile, and Lytal fondly remembers a Harry Potter-themed entry from years past, with a dog sporting extra heads in homage to Fluffy, the monstrous three-headed dog.

Pets of all shapes and sizes can take part, with owners parading them through Olde Towne. Costumes are encouraged, of course.

For more information about the Fall for Clinton Market and Pet Parade, visit www.MainStreetClintonMS.com or follow Main Street Clinton on Facebook.



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