
Story and photos by Darl DeVault
Contributing Editor

To give customers more time to anticipate Christmas, the 15th Annual Santa Market Craft Show will move two weekends into November, Friday the 22nd and Saturday the 23rd, at the Pavilion Building at the OKC Fairgrounds. This shift to earlier dates will create a vibrant and festive atmosphere, sure to get shoppers in the holiday spirit.
The Market is Oklahoma Cityâs premiere free, two-day showcase for one-of-a-kind, Christmas-themed creations benefiting the Alzheimerâs Association of Oklahoma.
âWe work to organize this show all year,â co-founder Molly Nye said. âIt is a true labor of love and helps all of us by doing something positive to combat Alzheimerâs Disease.â If anyone would like to be involved by volunteering, donating an item or service for the auction, or an item for the Alzheimerâs booth, please contact Joan Clarke at 405-314-1033.
As one of Oklahomaâs most extensive free-admission, nonprofit arts and crafts shows, the festive shopping experience will feature 180+ carefully chosen, creative vendors selling their unique and diverse products. Organizers say this is a shopping experience you wonât want to miss.
The Market offers free parking, a silent auction, and more. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Handcrafted items are available for all shoppersâ seasonal gift needs at an event that raised $43,000 last year for Alzheimerâs work. Since its inception up to this October, the Market has raised $313,464 for the cause.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their children to have free photos taken all day with Santa, Del Humphreys, an International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas member. Visitors can also speak with Mrs. Claus, Linda Turner. Organizers say The Grinch himself will be there this year.â
Shoppers may purchase a wide variety of Christmas-themed home dĂ©cor. This includes hand-painted ornaments, festive wreaths, and homemade arts and crafts such as knitted scarves and unique pottery. Boutique and holiday items, jewelry, childrenâs clothes, books, and food goodies are also available. The first 1,000 visitors receive free shopping bags sponsored by local businesses.
Joan Clarke, Molly and Megan Nye began the event in 2010 after Joanâs husband died of Alzheimerâs in 2007. Their shared goal was to support the charity addressing one of Americaâs most challenging diseases. They invite shoppers to join them in this meaningful cause, becoming part of the community of support.
âMolly and I had been selling items at craft shows for years, and we decided to start our own event. We booked a small room in a hotel and started with 17 vendors,â Clarke said. âBy the time our third year began, we realized how much work putting on a quality show involves, so we decided to make it a fundraiser. Molly immediately suggested Alzheimerâs since Joan lost her husband and Megan lost her father to the terrible disease. These personal experiences drive our commitment to the cause and inspire us to make The Santa Market Craft Show a success each year.â
Over the years, the number of vendors, attendees, and funds raised has grown tremendously, which is a testament to the communityâs support and the eventâs impact.
Every dollar raised at the Market goes directly to the Alzheimerâs Association, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. These funds support crucial research, care, and support efforts, making a tangible difference in the fight against Alzheimerâs. Your participation and support are vital, and all donations are tax-deductible, empowering you to be part of this meaningful cause and see the impact of your contribution on Alzheimerâs research.
âOur excellent vendors make this show what it is each year. We are one big family; everyone helps promote the show, advertise, and find new vendors. They donate to our cause, monetarily and with their products, even though itâs voluntary,â Clarke said. âThey help with set up, clean up and everything in between. We have three vendors that have been with us all 14 years. Countless more have been with us for 5, 8, or even 10 years. One vendor named it âThe Greatest Show on Earth,â and it truly is.â
The organizers limit the number of craftersâ assigned spaces. Clarke says It is not about turning away new vendors but only allowing a limited number of each type of vendor. They wish they could take everyone, but having a variety makes for a better shopping experience, and the vendors have a much better chance of success. âWe strive to ensure a diverse range of products and crafts, so our selection process is based on the uniqueness and quality of the items,â Clark said.
Clarke says some vendors see the event as an opportunity to make sure their favorite charity receives as much as possible from their craft world and them personally. By writing personal checks to the Alzheimerâs Association when The Santa Market rolls around, these vendors do their part to help. They also donate products and gift certificates to the Alzheimerâs auction and booth.
The Santa Market promoted the show at the annual Walk to End Alzheimerâs on November 2 in downtown OKC. Clarke and her family have walked every year since 2003. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, Walk to End Alzheimerâs is the worldâs largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimerâs care, support and research.
National presenting sponsor Edward Jones is in its ninth consecutive year helping to make the walks successful. Biogen and Eisai are also national sponsors. Santa Market fielded a team for the walk.
Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimerâs disease in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimerâs and other dementias.
In July 2024, the FDA approved Kisunla (Donanemab), a drug that can help treat early Alzheimerâs disease. The medicine is administered intravenously every four weeks. In clinical trials, Donanemab slowed memory and thinking decline by 20-60 percent and slowed daily activity decline by 40 percent.
The organizers attribute The Marketâs successful 14 years to the invaluable contributions of quality vendors, loyal customers, volunteers, sponsors, and donors. They consider everyone involved part of the Santa Market Family and hope for their continued support to make this yearâs event a resounding success. This year, organizers are proud Steve Eldridge, Senior News & Living and Oklahoma Nursing Times publisher, is again a Diamond Sponsor. For more info, visit www.thesantamarket.org.