ThemFaire market will offer holiday shopping and community gathering opportunities
Dec. 5, 2024
Photo taken by Annie at Slowpoke Studios
ThemFaire, a recurring Renaissance-fair-themed community market founded by and for non-binary and transgender creatives, is returning with a holiday twist.
The ThemFaire Holiday Huzzah will be held at Town Hall Collaborative on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Event Information
The Holiday Huzzah will be the second ThemFaire event so far, with the first taking place back in October.
Rory Kennedy, one of ThemFaire’s founders, said this event was planned and quickly put together to offer a small business-promoting holiday shopping experience.
“We decided to also have a market in December even though it was a very quick turnaround because we wanted to make sure people had this opportunity to buy gifts for family members and directly support small businesses during a time when everyone is trying to spend money,” Rory Kennedy said.
According to ThemFaire’s Eventbrite page, this market will feature more than 30 vendors selling art, clothing, tarot readings and more. Sam Kennedy, another one of ThemFaire’s founders, said the vendors for these events are selected to ensure minimal selling competition while also offering attendees a range of products.
“We try to make sure that everybody is bringing a unique product and a complementary product compared to what else is going to be there. And then, we really try to balance between vendors that have worked with us before, or that we know have a good following, and those who are just kind of starting out and maybe it's their first market," Sam Kennedy said.
Photo taken by Annie at Slowpoke Studios
Sam Kennedy noted that a smaller number of vendors will be present at the event, but having it in a different location will provide more space for people to socialize. He said ThemFaire being at Town Hall Collaborative also means attendees can purchase coffee from Queen City Collective Coffee and will have access to the venue’s bar at the end of the event.
The sense of joy and merriment found within a Renaissance fair played a significant role in determining ThemFaire’s theme. Attendees are encouraged to wear Renaissance fair attire, which Rory Kennedy said was a well-liked and exciting part of the first market back in October.
According to ThemFaire’s Eventbrite page, a $5 donation is encouraged and will go toward future ThemFaires, but not making a donation does not prevent entry; masks are also required.
ThemFaire’s founders and beginnings
ThemFaire has three founders; Sam Scharrer is the team’s “Wizionary” and focuses on ThemFaire’s design and brand aesthetic. Rory Kennedy coordinates and communicates with the vendors and Sam Kennedy manages the event’s communication, public relations and logistics.
From left to right: Sam Kennedy, Rory Kennedy and Sam Scharrer
Photo taken by Annie at Slowpoke Studios
Scharrer and Rory Kennedy, who are both small business owners, met each other through vendor markets. Both of them will be selling their products at the Holiday Huzzah.
Scharrer is the owner of TOIL + TRBL Nano-Soapery and has been making soap for about a decade; interested shoppers can purchase soap that looks like crystals, bars inspired by zodiac signs, candles and more through the Nano-Soapery’s website.
According to the TOIL + TRBL website and Scharrer, the soaps are prepared “on a distinct moon phase” to provide a sense of magic.
"I do everything by cycles of the moon. So, the process of soap making requires water, so I take that water and infuse it with the lunar vibes for that added witchy note,” Scharrer said.
Photo taken by Annie at Slowpoke Studios
Rory Kennedy is the “Head Witch in Charge” of That Witch Apothecary and sells candles, incense, ritual necessities and more.
“I specialize in making unique scent experiences. So, I have… candles [and] incense are my two primary products that I create, as well as I do make some room sprays and a couple of other home goods that folks can use to make their daily lives a little bit more magical," Rory Kennedy said.
Photo taken by Annie at Slowpoke Studios
Sam Kennedy said that Rory Kennedy came up with the idea for ThemFaire after seeing a need for more transgender and non-binary-focused small business events.
“It was actually Rory's idea. They kind of came to us with it after being a small business owner for several years, doing tons of markets and just kind of seeing a gap in specifically, you know, markets geared toward trans and non-binary makers,” Sam Kennedy said.
The founders also hope that ThemFaire will address a community need for support and unity.
“This is a really cool opportunity for, I think, people in the LGBTQ community to come, and be together and be surrounded by community, but also for those not in the community to, you know, have a tangible thing that they can do to really support people," said Sam Kennedy.
Rory Kennedy also spoke on this, noting how this need might impact the future of ThemFaire.
“I think that will also factor a lot into what 2025 looks like for ThemFaire, and how we can offer that community space and support for folks,” Rory Kennedy said.
Those interested can find more information and announcements related to this event on Instagram and Eventbrite.
