Holly Fair jumpstarts the holidays

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The annual holiday shopping extravaganza known as Holly Fair will mark its 28th season this weekend in a new location.

The boutique event is a fundraiser for the Junior League of Panama City. According to its mission statement, the organization of women is committed to promoting volunteerism, developing their potential and improving communities through effective action and the leadership of trained volunteers.

“Women supporting women is a powerful force for our individual self-growth, our families, our communities and our world,” said Tricia E. Berry, president of the JLPC, in a statement on the group's website. “I’ve learned that you should never tell a woman something can’t be done within our community, because it can.”

Holly Fair's festivities will take place at the recently renovated Sheraton Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach. But while it has moved its digs, the event promises the same boutique-like shopping experience as before.

More than 90 merchants will offer apparel, jewelry, children’s items, home goods and original holiday items. Guests will also enjoy a variety of entertainment, great food, music, auctions and more.

The weekend starts early with a preview party Thursday night. For $50, guests have access to culinary delights, entertainment, silent and live auctions, and exclusive access to the holiday shopping.

Friday’s events open with a Champagne Brunch from 8-10 a.m. Admission is $20, and includes brunch, two hours of private shopping and holiday entertainment.

General admission for Holly Fair is $7 (children under 12 are admitted free). Shopping hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

In addition, children can enjoy “Pancakes with Santa” on Saturday morning. Tickets are $25 each (or two for $20 each) and must be purchased in advance by calling 850-785-7870. Seatings are at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and each seating is limited to only 75 children. Tickets include breakfast, a photo with Santa Claus, story time with sponsor Dr. Ingrid Rachesky, and one adult entry to Holly Fair. 

FAIR PLAY

Founded in October 1951 by 20 charter members, the Junior League of Panama City was formally chartered as part of the Association of Junior Leagues International in April 1952.

Holly Fair began in 1989 as a way to raise awareness and support for the organization’s community projects. It has grown into a premier shopping event with merchants traveling from all over the United States to participate.

Holly Fair 2016 is led by co-chairwomen Stacie Galbreath and Jennifer Ross, supported by a committee of more than a dozen active Junior League Members to pull the fundraiser together over the course of the year.

All net proceeds from Holly Fair go to support community programs and service projects, including the After School Assistance Program, Child Service Center, Girls on the Run, VOICES, Elderly Outreach, Kids in the Kitchen and many more. Holly Fair has raised more than $3 million for the local community since its inception. But the group doesn’t just supply money to these endeavors.

JLPC members also help to mentor at-risk children in the After School Assistance Program, for instance. The Child Service Center clothes about 1,200 students with school uniforms and shoes each year, and Girls On The Run helps to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

“We, here at JLPC, are a group of women from all types of backgrounds, work experience, and family life,” Berry said. “It is our diversity that makes us a unique group and one that we strive to continue to develop into lasting and meaningful friendships that will continue to provide the relationships and experiences and generosity for generations after us.”

MERCHANTS

More than 80 merchants are registered to participate in this year's Holly Fair, including:

- Accents Home Décor & Gifts, Amy Cespedes Glisan, Andmara Precious Gems, Artistically Created, Ashton Nicole, AWNA Enterprises, BB Lane, BeautiControl, Outdoor Outfitters, Bill’s Pens and Things, Black Diamond Shaving Co., Boggy Boys Decals & Signs, BOT Boutique, and Box Tops Hat Co.

- Cerys Grey Designs, Connie Pankhurst Rodan & Fields Independent Consultant, Cutco Cutlery, Dazzle Wear, Discount Mattress & Furniture of Panama City, DoTerra, Emerald Coast Activity Center, Emerald Coast Olive Oil, and Everything Handmade.

- Fancy Camps, Frou Frou Frocks Boutique, GD Illustration, Sharp’s Kitchen featuring Girl’s Night Salsa, Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Gulf Coast Saltworks, Hawaiian Moon, Healthy Step Cyncessories, Indigo Earth Spa, and JenniLynns.

- Kards by Kristi, Personalized Chalk Boxes for Kids, Khomsa Trading, Kitchen Craft, LG’S, Lifestyle Marketplace, Lindsey’s Suite Deals Furniture, Lipstick Diva, Living Life RePurposed, Living Like a Mermaid, Lo Lu Wreaths, and Lularoe Cody Maddox.

- Mary Kay by Debra, Medi’s Inc., Mermaid Kisses, Miles of Flowers, Mustang Annie Apparel, Origami Owl, Out of the Box Gifts & More, Pain Free Products, Panama City Chapter 794 Purple Heart, PartyPix Photo Booth, Plum Delightful, Posh with Angela, Premier Designs, and Touch of Purple.

- Rag Muffins, Renee’s Touch of Country, Ritzy Gal, Saints of Old Florida, Scentsy Wickless Candle, Seventh Avenue Apothecary, Shabby Chic Interiors, Shabby Wraps, Shader Productions, Shae’s Runway, Shipwreck Ltd., Sweet Bay Candle, SqHair Bands, and Sydney Ruth Boutique.

- Tae Tae’s, That Cute Little Soap Shop, The Antique Cottage, The Florida House, The Green Owl, The Maddie Hatter, The Pampered Princess, The Princess and the Pea Designs, Thirty-A Threads, Usborne Books & More, Walter Green, and Whimsical Signs.

What: Boutique-like shopping with premiere merchants offering apparel, jewelry, children’s items, home goods and original holiday items, entertainment, food, music, auctions and more

When: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Why: Net proceeds support programs the Junior League of Panama City

Where: Sheraton Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach

Admission: $7

Details: JLPanamaCity.org

HOLLY FAIR 2016