The temperatures are falling and flurries are flying! November is here, and with it lots of holiday cheer can be found in this month's list of top events around Morgan County. From craft and vendor fairs to handmade candy canes, get your holiday season started off right with these fun upcoming events! Aside from holiday cheer, don't miss fun one of a kind events such as Downtown at Dusk and the first international girls tackle football game ever held (yes, first ever, anywhere!).
Live Holiday Candy Pours
Join the Martinsville Candy Kitchen, each and every Saturday this month (and next) for the amazing experience of watching them make candy canes by hand, the old fashioned way! Pour times may vary from week to week, so be sure to call ahead or check their Facebook page for exact times. Be sure to browse other downtown businesses or enjoy lunch or dinner while you're in town. We also hear that Santa will be at the Candy Kitchen on Saturday, Nov. 25 (and Dec. 16).
Holiday Craft & Vendor Fairs
'Tis the season... and there are lots of fun holiday craft and vendor fairs for you to choose from! The busiest weekends for these holiday shopping events are Nov. 4 and 11, so if you want to hit multiple fairs in one day, those are your best bets. See our post on Holiday Craft Fairs for details on specific events. We'll continue to update that list as we find out about any additional events. (Also, we'd be remiss not to mention that the St. Martin of Tours Craft Fair also features their annual Cookie Shoppe on Nov. 4!)
Berries & Ivy Christmas Open House
In need of gifts for hard to shop for friends or family? The ladies at Berries & Ivy Country Store can help with that! Stop by their annual Christmas Open House on Nov. 4 to see this year's popular gift selections. The store specializes in home decor, art, jewelry, textiles and specially selected antiques Come early - the first 50 customers will each receive a free gift!
Mooresville Open Market Antiques Open House
Browse through the many and varied treasures just waiting to be discovered at Mooresville Open Market Antiques. Their November Open House will be on Nov. 4 from 10 am to 4 pm. You may find the perfect gift for a special someone... or for yourself!
Link Observatory Programs
Link Observatory will host three events in November! Come out for open telescope observation on Nov. 4, beginning at 6 pm. Visit their monthly open to the public day on Thursday, Nov. 9 so you can explore the observatory during the daytime, from 9 am to 3 pm. Don't forget their monthly multimedia program presented at the Mooresville Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 18 beginning at 8 pm. A shuttle is available immediately following the program to take visitors to the Observatory for telescope observation.
No Cover Songwriter's Showcase
Enjoy live music from local and regional songwriters on Thursday, November 9 at the No Cover Songwriter's Showcase. If that's not reason enough, the event is held at Zydeco's Cajun, so you can also enjoy a fun, colorful atmosphere and an incredible Cajun culinary experiences as well!
Downtown at Dusk & Open Studios Night
Downtown Martinsville businesses are joining in on this month's Second Friday Open Studios Night at the Art Sanctuary of Indiana. Come explore downtown at dusk, enjoy a tasty meal at one of three downtown restaurants ranging from comfort food to fine dining, then browse through several shops and boutiques specializing in everything from jewelry to home decor to appliances! Don't forget to stop in and meet the resident artists at the Art Sanctuary from 6-9 pm. Hours may vary by individual business.
Winter Farmers Market
November dates for the Morgan County Farmers Market Association's Winter Market will be November 11 and 25. Come out and talk with local producers and pick up locally grown meats, cool weather vegetables, baked goods, fresh eggs and locally made soaps, candles, and more! Market begins at 9 am and goes until 12:30 pm at Keller Hall, adjacent to the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Washington and Sycamore Streets in downtown Martinsville. .
Willowfield Lavender Farm Holiday Open House
No, the lavender isn't in bloom, but that doesn't mean there's no reason to visit Willowfield Lavender Farm for their annual Holiday Open House! Enjoy lavender cookies and tea as you browse through a variety of gift items made with their locally grown lavender, special lavender-themed items such as textiles imported from France, and Libbe's own handmade pottery items decorated with a lavender theme. Pick up the perfect holiday stocking stuffer!
International Girls Tackle Football
The first-ever game of girls tackle football across national borders will be held on Saturday, November 18 at the Mooresville High School Football Field. The Indiana Girls Tackle Football League, based right here in Morgan County, will host the North Winnipeg Nomads Football Club, traveling all the way from Canada! There will be two games, grades 5-8 and grades 9-12. Admission is free, fist game begins at 11 am.
Tri Kappa Turkey Trot
Don't just sit on the couch and watch TV (or nap) after Thanksgiving dinner... get outside and get active! The annual Tri Kappa Turkey Trot 5K is held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. The course takes you through the beautiful, scenic roads of Fox Cliff, a residential golf community just north of the City of Martinsville. Come out and enjoy the outdoors as you burn off a few of those holiday calories.
Small Business Saturday Marketplace
The Art Sanctuary of Indiana will host their third annual Small Business Saturday event, giving local craft and home based business vendors a place to set up for the day, when so many shoppers are actively looking for local businesses to support. Past participants have included soaps, candles, jewelry, accessories, apparel, artisan products and much more. Come browse through the booths on Saturday, Nov. 25, then enjoy lunch at a downtown eatery and browse through locally owned stores to make a day of it - shop local!
Festival of Lights
A Martinsville tradition, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving Santa shows up to light up Jimmy Nash City Park! Join the City Parks staff and volunteers for this fun annual kickoff to the December holiday season. The classic book T'was the Night Before Christmas is read, hot cocoa is available and kids are welcome to meet Santa and place their holiday gift requests and get a photo, then... the lights come on! The holiday light display at Jimmy Nash Park will remain lit each evening through New Year's Day, so if you can't make it for the lighting event, be sure to drive through and enjoy the display the next time you're in the area.