SPONSORED POST: The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club will host the 41st Annual Wellesley Marketplace on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, at its beautiful, recently renovated Wellesley High School location at 50 Rice St. Buy tickets online here. In honor of the national holiday and of those who have served our country, veterans and active-duty military will get free admission to the annual annual arts fair. “We’re so happy that we can offer free admission as a way to honor our veterans and active service members on this special holiday,” said Marketplace chairwoman Meryl Glassman.

Wellesley Marketplace, 2017 — The Gingerbread Construction Co., a Wellesley Marketplace favorite, will be back for this year’s November 11. Photo credit: Allegro Photography.

Marketplace is an annual retail favorite — and the unofficial start of the holiday season — for those seeking unique locally made gifts for family and friends. The event typically draws a crowd of over 1,700 shoppers eager to see what goodies the 200 vendors and artisans from New England and afar have brought. Available wares include gourmet foods, handmade jewelry, artwork, home accessories, dog toys, and even dolls’ clothes. About 500 smart shoppers last year paid for premium admission tickets to get into the show early. You are encouraged to join those early birds, and beat the crowds.

QUICK FACTS:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Veterans Day)

Time: 9am – 4pm

Where: Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St., Wellesley, MA 02481

Tickets: General admission $15; students and seniors $5. Premium early-admission admission tickets $20 (for early entry from 9am – 10am)

Where to buy tickets: Roche Bros. and The Linden Store in Wellesley or online here. Tickets also can be purchased at the door.

Veterans’ discount: Military veterans and active-duty service members will get free admission at the door.

Last year, WHJWC awarded $70,000 in college scholarships to 44 Wellesley High School students in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500. WHJWC also gave $70,000 in grants to Wellesley-area community groups. “I love that we can raise money for kids to go to college and to help fund community groups like the PTO, after-school sports and the food pantry by creating an arts marketplace of cool, interesting local artists,” said Marketplace co-chairwoman Jennifer Bonniwell. “This is my favorite shopping event of the year.”

BY THE NUMBERS:

1976: First year of Wellesley Marketplace
223: Number of artists exhibiting this year
64%: Percentage of artists from Massachusetts
30: Number of artists from Wellesley, Needham, Natick, Dover or Dedham
76%: Percentage of artists who are new to Marketplace
$140,000: Amount given away in college scholarships and community groups each year by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club

ABOUT THE WELLESLEY HILLS JUNIOR WOMEN’S CLUB (WHJWC)

WHJWC was established in 1944 as a service organization under the Massachusetts Federation of Women’s Clubs. WHJWC continues to support the community through service projects and by raising funds for grants to local charities and scholarships to
Wellesley High School students. For more information about our annual fundraisers and charitable giving, please go to www.whjwc.com.