The Spirit of Christmas was alive and well at the Canter Farmers' Market + Home Made Christmas Extravaganza last Saturday the 17 December at Canter Restaurant, Scone.

A total of 43 stallholders were in attendance as well as 5 additional stall holders in the Visitor Information Centre park joining the main market.
 
Market organiser Nicole Jordan said the event was a resounding success.
 
"I spoke to every vendor on the day and the overwhelming response was that it had exceeded all expectation. Many vendors sold out early in the day and all vendors reported their best trading performance of the year," Nicole said.

A vast array of produce and handmade merchandise was on offer with stallholders well supported by the local Upper Hunter community.
 
"The mood of the market was festive and exuberant, it was a delight to see the community participating as vendors and customers," said Nicole.
 
Underlining the appeal of the Upper Hunter, visitors to the market came from as far away as Sydney with Soldiers Point resident Elizabeth Magill-Richards saying "I loved the size of the market and the friendly nature of all the stall holders. I look forward to my Christmas morning to have my [market purchased] muesli and lemon curd on sourdough! I also purchased some yo-belle yoghurt on the way home and what a beautiful combination with some fresh berries for breakfast."

Adding to the flavour of the day was a raffle offering a slew of prizes.  First prize was a Christmas Hamper from Upper Hunter Hampers won by Fran Bowcock & Second prize comprised two Drunken Fruit Christmas Cakes from Angela McMurray from The Twisted Carrot together with Palm Leaf Bio Plateware and wooden cutlery courtesy of The EVENT Storeroom was won by Tina White. Over $100 was  raised from this raffle with proceeds used to purchase gifts from Canter Farmers' and Home Made Market Vendor - Williams Workshop - which have gone under the 'Flood the Vinnies' (St Vincent’s de Paul Society) Christmas Tree at John Flood Real Estate Office in Muswellbrook to help those less  fortunate in our community.  Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets in this raffle and also to Jillie Arnott (the Cooking Tree) and Meredith Bowman from Upper Hunter Hampers for donating the 1st prize.
 
"We were grateful for the assistance of the SES who provided parking and traffic guidance on the day and we are delighted to have the assistance of The EVENT Storeroom providing umbrellas and tables for this event each month," said Nicole.

"Every vendor I spoke to said it was the most successful market they attended, in short it was a (christmas) cracker!"