On Sept. 21, the Whimsigoth Night Market, owned by Stevie Riffle, and the Mystic Fairy Market, owned by Natasha Kardos, came together to host the Mabon Markets in Kent’s Acorn Alley.

The first Mabon Market was held in Cleveland on Sept. 20, and was a night market, whereas the second Mabon Market was held as a day market.

Riffle is the owner of the Whimsigoth Night Market and one of the c0-hosts of the event. The Whimsigoth Night Market is held on the third Saturday of each month, typically at Poplife in Cleveland in the Waterloo Arts District.

Kardos is the owner of the Mystic Fairy Market and the co-host of this event. The Mystic Fairy Market is held every third weekend of every month in Acorn Alley.

This month the Mabon Market is in celebration of the autumnal equinox, a time of equal day and night usually occurring around Sept. 22 or 23 every year.

According to the Boston Public Library, Mabon is a pagan holiday and is one of the eight Wiccan Sabbats celebrated each year. The name Mabon was adopted more recently and inspired by a Welsh mythical god, son of the mother earth goddess, Modron.

Riffle shared what the autumnal equinox of Mabon symbolized to them.

“It can symbolize a personal movement of moving on from things that don’t serve us anymore and just focusing on what it is that brings you peace,” they said.

The Mabon Market held over 30 unique artists and curators from around Ohio, selling various items of jewelry, crafts and clothing. Each vendor sold items that fit with the whimsical, fairy theme.

Emma Daughtery and Aly Dawn sold handmade crocheted items from their business called Bitchin’ Stitchin.’ Their business was recently created and this was the third market they’ve attended. 

“Our stuff is pretty whimsical, so like we kind of fit with that. I think just as people we fit in with that, too,” Daughtery said.

The market brought the community of Kent together and the shared love of being whimsical. “I found a lot that I like has to do with the more whimsigoth side of things,” said market attendee Jenna Allen.

Not only does the Mabon Market bring the community together, it also raises funds to donate to Cleveland Liberation Center, in support of their advocacy and community outreach work. The Cleveland Liberation Center is a socialist hub centering around education, solidarity and the struggle to liberate oppressed people.

Riffle explained how they enjoy bringing activism into their markets.

“I felt like there needed to be more community awareness in the market spaces,” they said.

To generate donations, they held a red tent at the front entrance of the market to donate or enter the raffle, where all proceeds would further be donated to the Cleveland Liberation Center.

Trinity Drougas and Megan Noel, owners of the vendor Tiny Treasures, shared how they love the activism that is incorporated into the market.

“We really appreciate them putting this on, and trying to also incorporate activism into the everyday,” Drougas said.

Markets such as the Mabon Market, continue to be a great way to promote small businesses and encourage people to shop locally. 

“I think people should support local artists and see what they have to offer,” Allen said.