LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) — While many used the Labor Day weekend to unplug, artists and artisans used Sunday to put their passion on full display at the Long Beach Art and Artisans Market.
For two years, founders Butch and Susie Tillson have transformed Harper McCaughan Town Green into a vibrant showcase for local talent.
Co-founders Butch and Susie Tillson have transformed Harper McCaughan Town Green into a vibrant showcase for local talent for two years.(WLOX)
“We went to the city and presented this idea with them,” co-manager Susie Tillson said. “And here we are today, two years later, and we have over a hundred vendors on our list that rotate in and out weekly, you know.”
Among the creators is Kathy Yard, who turns coastal shells into one-of-a-kind handcrafted treasures.
Kathy Yard, owner of Kathy’s Keepsake Shells, turns coastal shells into one-of-a-kind handcrafted treasures.(WLOX)
She says the market allows her to step outside her comfort zone and showcase her unique creations.
“There’s just a variety of people doing their creativity and love to get out and mingle with people. That’s why I do it,” Yard said.
While most use the holiday weekend to clock out, Kathy’s Keepsake Shells and the market continued to welcome the community.
“It’s just a great way of spending your days, especially on a holiday weekend,” Yard said. “A lot of nice people come out on these kinds of days.”
While most use the holiday weekend to clock out, the Sunday market continued to welcome the community.(WLOX)
“It’s amazing. It really is to have our market members, you know, behind us, supporting us. And then all the customers that we have, you know, every Sunday. It’s amazing,” Tillson said.
It’s a push to blend downtown’s historic roots with its future, driven by the local businesses keeping that vision alive.
“Long Beach has a long history. Jeff Davis has a long history. And this little thing we do on Sundays brings people back to the market, back to downtown,” co-manager Butch Tillson said.
The market is open every Sunday at Harper McCaughan Town Green from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting.
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