On Dec. 1, a press release was issued by Kennett Collaborative that predicted “thousands” of holiday shoppers were expected to attend the first weekend of the Kennett Square Holiday Village Market at the Creamery of Kennett Square.

The agency was very accurate.

More than 5,000 visitors jammed the official opening on Dec. 2, at what has become an annual tradition of an al fresco shopping experience among dozens of artisans and vendors, which is sponsored in partnership with Square Roots Collective. Despite the persistent wet weather on Dec. 3, an estimated 2,000 were in attendance.

“We bring fifty vendors each day which, along with our unique merchants throughout Kennett, makes for incredible holiday shopping,” said Daniel Embree, the executive director of Kennett Collaborative. “And there’s so much to do beyond shopping. At the market you can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, go ice skating, and enjoy some hot cocoa or mulled wine next to the fire.”

“Holiday Village Market supports our mission to advance Kennett Square as a thriving community,” said Steph Almanza of Square Roots Collective. “We are excited by the prospect of hosting so many friends and visitors at the Market, and since The Creamery reinvests 100 percent of its profits for the benefit of the community, visitors can enjoy a good drink and know that they’re doing good at the same time.”

This year’s event, which includes visits from Santa, face painting, a live ice sculptor, ice skating, greenery arrangement workshops by Longwood Gardens, and a rotating lineup of handmade, vintage and artisan vendors, will continue this coming Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Creamery of Kennett Square is located at 401 Birch Street in Kennett Square. To see daily schedules, visit www.kennettholidaymarket.com.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].