The 90-degree temperatures didn’t dampen the jolly for patrons of the Christmas in July Farmers Market on July 24 at The Block Northway in Ross.
Food trucks, local artists, bakers and candymakers were setting the gift-buying course early — on a date alerting shoppers that Christmas Eve is a mere five months away.
“There’s something magical about bringing the spirit of the holidays to The Block Northway in the middle of summer,” said Jaime Pavlot, spokesperson for the mall.
The themed event adds a “fun, unexpected twist” to the summer, including holiday cheer, seasonal treats from the weekly farmers market and joyful activities “that make it feel like the most wonderful time of the year, even in flip flops,” she said.
A cannon shot bubbles high in the air, falling down like snowflakes on children in a blocked-off area in the parking lot reserved for the foam party.
The scene didn’t fool Avery Price, 7, of McCandless who noted the heat.
“The bubbles feel nice, but the ground underneath the bubbles is hot,” he said.
His mom, Ann, also was there with Avery’s sister, Emersyn, 4. They were shopping at the nearby Aldi and were drawn to the bubble-filled space.
“Of course, we were attracted by the foam,” she said.
The activity was provided by Funtastic Foam Parties of Cranberry. Staff member Connor Savage, also of Cranberry, operated the foam cannon, adding he’s happy “just seeing the kids smile.”
Children also could participate in a Fa-La-La-La-Mingo handprint painting activity inside the mall, where a variety of food vendors, crafters and artists were selling their products.
Hailey Jodikinos, 19, was offering produce from Jodikinos Family Farms in Clinton, Beaver County.
The farm was selling a lot of corn and tomatoes that day, but Jodikinos said she enjoys picking wildflowers and making arrangements with her mom to sell.
“And I like meeting the different people,” she said.
The farmers market at The Block Northway runs through Sept. 25. It is sponsored by Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi, SSB Bank, Key Bank, Highmark and AHN.
The next themed events are:
• Aug. 14: Back to School
• Sept. 18: Pep Rally
• Sept. 25: Coffee With a Cop
