The Interfaith Caregivers are kicking off the season with two holiday traditions: the inaugural outdoor holiday market featuring more than 45 artists and craftspeople and the return of the annual holiday house tour after a two-year COVID hiatus.
“The holiday outdoor market is similar to markets, like in Europe and the one they have in Philadelphia,” explained Larissa Willison, executive director of Interfaith Caregivers. “It’s crafters, food trucks, that kind of thing – and you can come and do shopping outdoors.”
The free outdoor holiday market will take place on Dec. 3 in the parking lot on Chestnut Street between Haddonfield Middle School and the First Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to crafters selling handmade gifts and holiday goods, there will also be food trucks on site as well as cider, coffee and other treats for purchase.
A week later, on Dec. 8, the Interfaith Caregivers’ holiday house tour returns with six Haddonfield homes decorated for the holidays as well as the Friends Meeting House, built in 1684. The houses are scattered throughout the borough, from a 1938 home on Chews Landing Road that features historic tiles surrounding its fireplace to a 1908 model on Kings Highway East with stained glass windows that is described as a “winter wonderland.”
“Some of the houses will have life-size carolers outside, and then some houses have original artwork that have been purchased,” Willison said. “One house has a ton of work and objects. Each one has some unique thing, like everybody has to their home.”
The holiday house tour will also feature homes on Washington and West Redman avenues and a house on Westmont Avenue with seven fireplaces, all decked for the holidays.
The house locations will be revealed upon purchase of a ticket, which is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Attendees will be able to visit the homes through self-guided tours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“It’s not a schedule, it’s a self-guided tour,” Willison explained. “We have docents in each house who will check your ticket and be able to answer questions and tell you things.”
Proceeds will benefit the Interfaith Caregivers and help them provide transportation and other supportive services to seniors over 65 and those with disabilities in Haddonfield, Haddon Heights and surrounding communities. In spite of its name, the group is not religious in nature.
“The point of what we do is to allow people to remain independent, even though they’re not driving anymore,” Willison explained. “It’s not just providing a ride from point A to point B, it’s also social time, a time to meet someone new and talk about what you do and what their life is like.”
To purchase all-day tickets online, visit ifchaddons.org. Tickets can also be purchased at Interfaith Caregivers, 20 Chestnut St., and at the borough library, 600 N. Haddon Ave.
