By David Taylor / Managing Editor
The Crosby American Legion Hall was transformed into a festive marketplace this weekend as the community gathered for the first-ever Christmas Nutcracker Market. Organized by Melissa McBride, the event featured a vibrant array of local vendors, unique holiday gifts, and special activities designed to support both the Legion and local students.
The market, which ran over two days, hosted approximately 55 to 60 booths, with a variety of vendors offering everything from handcrafted goods to gourmet treats.
“We’re hosted our first Christmas Nutcracker market. We’re also doing a raffle for a Christmas wreath and a 50/50 pot, plus a drawing for a boy’s and a girl’s Christmas stocking,” explained McBride.
“The proceeds from the 50/50 pot and the wreath are going to Project Graduation 2026 for Crosby High School,” she announced.
Visitors not only enjoyed shopping for unique gifts but also contributed to a good cause. Funds raised from booth fees and raffles will help support local students’ graduation celebrations.
Additional funds come from the sale of booths to vendors. Not all vendors were from Crosby, which helped boost funds because of vendors from outside the community.
“When people come and shop and do their thing here, from wherever they are, helps support us and our beneficiaries,” noted McBride.
For Lane Sutton and his girlfriend Addison Riden, the price was right.
“I just started my own business called The Craft Boutique,” she said.
The 18-year-old has a myriad of things for sale, including t-shirts on Saturday.
“We’re located in Conroe, which is only about a 40-minute drive from here. We can also ship anywhere or meet you to deliver products,” she said.
They have friends in Crosby who told them about the market. With a new business they are trying to hit as many pop-up markets as possible.
The owners of Cimimen’s Bakery drove across the Beltway 8 bridge from Pasadena to participate and give back.
“I have been baking for 30-plus years and have had my little business for a while,” she said.
Maria Fernandez is the owner, and her specialties are Hispanic cookies like hojarascas (which means dry leaves and the cookies are like a shortbread) and pulborones (pulvo means dust and the cookies melt in your mouth), and pecan cookies.
“I also do wedding cakes, just about everything,” she said.
She’s assisted by her husband, Miguel.
“This was kind of a last minute [event],” she said. The previous host was no longer available.
“I worked really hard to get this up in a short time,” McBride said, “and I think we’re doing really good. We’ll organize it ourselves moving forward.”
The market ran Saturday and Sunday. Some Saturday vendors stayed on Sunday, but there were also several new vendors on Sunday with nice, unique wares.
With plans already in motion for next year, the Crosby American Legion’s Christmas Nutcracker Market looks set to become a new holiday tradition—bringing together neighbors, supporting students, and spreading cheer throughout the community.
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