The King Edward Billiard Hall will come alive Dec. 3 with the second annual Fig and Olive Charcuterie and Grazing Co. Christmas Bliss Market fundraising event.-- NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Hatters can eat, drink and be merry all while giving back to local school children at the Fig and Olive Charcuterie and Grazing Co. Christmas Bliss Market, taking place Dec. 3 at the King Edward Billiard Hall downtown.
Now in its second year, the two-part market brings local and regional small businesses, artists and artisans together in one space for a family-friendly afternoon shop from noon to 4 p.m. and an evening sip and shop from 7-9 p.m.
The market also features activities and treats for attendees to enjoy, including a Holiday photo booth and a hot chocolate station at the afternoon shop, and live music by Medicine Hat folk singer Kyle Church, cocktails and charcuterie at the evening shop.
The market not only offers Hatters a place to buy Holiday gifts and enjoy festive treats, it also provides an opportunity to embrace the spirit of the giving season.
“We’re hosting this market in support of Elm Street School,” Fig and Olive Charcuterie founder and market organizer Joely Augustino told the News. “I’m an educator at Elm Street School, which is the lowest demographic school in Medicine Hat (at 142 students in 2021/22). And the school actually lost its nutritional program through government funding. So, we hope to raise some money to help feed the kids there.”
Hatters may donate in a variety of ways, with organizers requesting afternoon shop attendees pay a $15 per family cover charge, and evening sip and shop attendees a $20 per person cover charge – all proceeds from which would go to Elm Street School.
Recognizing such charges could be a barrier for community members, organizers are also accepting non-perishable food donations in lieu.
Inside the market, attendees can show support by joining bidding in the silent auction, which features items from each of the market’s vendors, with all proceeds, once again, going toward the school.
“We just really are encouraging the community to come out,” said Augustino..
