Dozens of people roamed from tent to tent outside of the Seeley Lake Community Foundation building to get their market fix while its leaders celebrated a major milestone.
The Sunday Market at Seeley Lake turned 15 years old on July 2. During the peak times of the Fourth of July, the foundation credited locals for getting the event started, and its vendors who often travel to Seeley to sell their goods.
“I really wanted to take some time during this bustle on this big beautiful day to thank the people who make this happen, because this is a labor of love,” said Claire Muller, the executive director of the foundation. “ A Market like this is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s a place for people to socialize, it’s a place for locals to sell their crafts, and it’s a place to make community.”
The market first started under Vicki Voegelin in 2008. They awarded her with flowers and a tiara because “Vicki is queen of the market.” Five years ago, the Seeley Lake Community Foundation took over the management of the event.
“This is something that my son and I dreamed about,” Voegelin said, crediting her friend Karen Pratt for helping with the logistics. “It took a whole lot of love and a whole lot of people and the people I want to thank the most are the vendors.”
Muller said the Seeley Market has grown to become one of the top quarter of markets in the state of Montana, with more than 30 vendors on average showing up. Scott Gordon, a woodmaker from Greenough, started selling products at the market two weeks ago.
“Its a good way to stay out of trouble on the weekend,” Gordon said. “I usually make cabinets or other things for a customer, so this lets me be a bit more creative.”
Rachelle Harman, the market manager, said the Fourth of July weekend was packed with tourists and residents alike. She said the market has gotten so popular that most of the sellers hear about it through word of mouth.
“Our goal is to keep maintaining the integrity of the market,” Harman said. “We can’t lose that personal rural community feeling.”
Several vendors have been a part of the market for more than a decade.
Vendors who have been there for five years are: Zack Clothier Photography, Montana Jeff Signs, Two Crafty old Ladies, Wildlife Paintings, Olive U, Swansor incredible sculptures, Montana Mud Shirts, and Muddy by design.
Other long term vendors include Beargrass, Underfoot creation and Montana Stone and Steel. The 15 year vendors, working at the market since the beginning, include North Fork Pottery, Monte’s Lamps, Paws Up Safe Home, Sherry’s Jams and Jellies, Victoria’s towels, Crochet and Woodwork, Wooden Things and Johnson’s Homegrown produce.
“Here’s to a great 15 past years of the market, and here’s to 15 more,” Muller said.
The market runs each Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m, with the last day on Labor Day.
Reader Comments(0)