It was a beautiful day to stroll Winchester’s main drag, do some shopping, have a bite to eat and thoroughly enjoy the Garden Party 2024 Christmas market. Seen above are three of the busiest people around at this time of year: Santa, Kelly Windle, and Mrs. Claus. Tinkess Photo

WINCHESTER – Anytime you plan an outdoor event in November, you understand that there is a risk that Mother Nature will not cooperate, and you may have to deal with rain, sleet, or even snow. This year, however, it was clear blue skies, warm weather and no reason at all to stay inside. It was a beautiful day to stroll Winchester’s main drag, do some shopping, have a bite to eat and thoroughly enjoy the Garden Party 2024 Christmas market.

Kelly Windle, owner of The Planted Arrow and the event’s organizer, couldn’t have been happier with the way the day turned out.

“Normally, we have about 1,500 through. I would say this year we’ve exceeded that,” said Windle. “I was talking to the mayor, and we think 2,500 people probably through so far, it’s been steady all day long.

“The wagon rides have been full every single time. Santa’s had a lineup every single time. We just shot over 50 vendors this year. We were 10 shy last year, so 10 more this year. We opened right up to Main Street this year because of the extra vendors, but I’ve got some lovely volunteers helping me out with all the road closures and everything.”

Windle is very active in promoting Winchester, so it is especially nice when she meets or exceeds the expectations she has for the events she organizes. “I just want to have fun,” she says with a smile. “And what better time of the year to have fun than Christmas? We might as well start saying Merry Christmas as soon as possible, right?”

Windle made a point of explaining that events like this are never the result of the efforts of one person, or even a small group. It all happens only because of the efforts of many volunteers as well as the support of local sponsors as well as the Township. Sponsors add so much to events, in this case the horse-drawn wagon rides, carollers, and the petting zoo.

“It’s just a joy. It’s a joy to, you know, bring this to the community and see the community come out and enjoy it and support local,” added Windle. “Not only, you know, by providing these events complimentary, but also vice versa, with everybody shopping. So, hopefully it benefited the businesses downtown as well.”

It certainly seemed to, and why not? On a day as beautiful as this, what possible reason could you have for not wanting to get out of your car and enjoy a bright, sunny, warm November afternoon? Being able to shop outdoors in a light jacket with Christmas just over seven weeks away, is not something we are used to, but we’ll take it.