Last weekend, Main Street Kent celebrated Wizardly Weekend, with attendees showing up in themed costumes from stylish wizards to enchanted witches.
The magical energy of Main Street transcended to Acorn Alley, where the Whimsical Witches Market took place, featuring local vendors, handmade crafts and one-of-a-kind merchandise.
Nicole Joseph, the Acorn Alley social media and event coordinator, organized the market and said Acorn Alley decided its theme by taking advantage of Wizardly Weekend occurring and as a way to appeal to even more audiences.
“I met up with [Main Street Kent] at the beginning of the year, and because I put on these markets. It just made perfect sense to do two of them, so we can get even more vendors and local artists,” Joseph said.
Joseph also brought her own business “Mystic Mani” to the market, selling unique handmade nails and select specialty items.
Mak Goudy, a Kent native and founder of Thistle Root Studio, was inspired to turn her “COVID hobby” into a business after receiving encouragement from a friend.
“I make a bunch of cottagecore themed polymer clay goods, everything hand sculpted and handmade,” Goudy said. “I don’t use the assistance of molds or stencils with any of my stuff.”
Goudy attends markets all over Ohio, but said the Kent community holds a special place in her heart.
“There’s just such an array of different personality types and walks of life in Kent. Everyone is very kind, welcoming and very open to the arts,” Goudy said. “Anytime I get a chance to be out here and show my artwork, with the community, is just very enriching to my heart.”
Another vendor, Jillian Phillips, founder of The Willow Rack, focuses on vintage and hippie Y2K boho style, selling items from clothing and jewelry to shoes and purses.
The unique style of her business is influenced by her family as well as her experience working at a thrift store. Phillips began selling her products online and recently began attending markets.
“I love coming to the Wizardly Weekend, the decorations are always just so fun,” Phillips said. “It’s just good people, good vibes.”
Joey Colbetzor, sophomore nursing major, browsed the market due to her love of the theme and showed out in costume for wizard weekend.
“I love witchy stuff. I absolutely adore it,” Colbetzor said. “All the vendors are so sweet and talkative and just really cool too.”
Colbetzer made purchases from multiple vendors, including earrings from GingerMint.
The spirits of Main Street Kent’s Wizardly Weekend and Acorn Alley’s Whimsical Witches Market were vibrant, as attendees and vendors look forward to what is in store next year.
Claire Duber is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
