Fall & Holiday Market takes place at The Square

In the square of downtown Troy, a Fall and Holiday Market was held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event had businesses and organizations from around the area come together to show their work and sell their products. 

“The holiday market events and things that the city of Troy hosts are really good to see what’s around the area,” said Griffin Earles, a junior graphic design major from China Grove, Alabama, and creator for Student Made Troy. “It helps students get a more welcoming feeling for the town. 

“It’s really easy to just get stuck on campus because that’s where you are all of the time, but it’s also good to get out and venture around, especially for these events.” 

There were multiple booths set up with a variety of things to choose from. Some people were there to sell their artworks like pottery, handmade jewelry, paintings and wood burnings. There were also booths that sold edible items like pound cakes and local honey. 

Student Made Troy had a pop-up booth on the sidewalk by the square so that market attendants could see what was available. They have an Instagram handle named @studentmade_troy, where there is more information about what they have available and how people can get involved. 

“One of the things I’m enjoying the most is interacting with our customers and getting to know who they are, what they like, and how they’re going to support us,” said Ariel Smith, a senior art major with a minor in marketing from West Palm Beach, Florida, and creator as well as manager for Student Made Troy. “I would recommend a lot of people come out here and interact with our creatives and small business owners and support in any way they can.” 

Another market booth was for A Rai of Sunshine, which is a business based in Montgomery, Alabama. The founder and CEO, Railyn, started selling her poundcakes at the age of 11. Now at 14, she is going to events like this one to continue her entrepreneurship. Her Instagram is @a.rai.of.sunshine, and her website is www.araiofsunshineco.com. 

“I feel like people should come to an event like this because it has a positive impact and also for young people like me as an inspiration that they can start a business and they can do something positive in the world,” Railyn said. “I love seeing people review my poundcake and just being outside.” 

Three’s Bees, a veteran-owned business based in Troy, Alabama, also held a booth at the Fall and Holiday Market. Trey Ingram, and his wife Leigh Ingram, own an apiary in Pike County. They focus on selling honey from their bees and spreading the good that bees do for the environment. Their Instagram is @threesbees55, and people can message them to purchase honey. 

“What we like to do is come out here and sell our honey and talk to people about bees and what they do for our environment,” Trey Ingram said. “They’re a very important species that we try to get out and talk about and promote protecting them. 

“It’s a good opportunity for us to sell our product and get the word out about what bees do for our ecosystem. The honey is the best way to help the bees because we take that money and put it right back into the business.” 

More events happening in downtown Troy can be found on its Instagram @downtowntroy36081.