Trade Day welcomes vendors, visitors

SPRUCE PINE Vendors and visitors gathered Saturday for Spruce Pine Trade Day at SiSu Homestead, a twice-monthly event that brings together local farmers, artisans and small business owners to sell, swap and share their wares.

Now in its second year, the event has continued to grow, according to organizer Melissa Zak, who said vendors and shoppers came from a diverse range of places including Cullman, Jasper, Athens and Lynn.

“Since the beginning of this year, the event has doubled, tripled and quadrupled,” Zak said.

The event, held at 526 McNatt Road, features livestock, plants, soaps, candles, produce, jewelry, metal art and more.

“It’s the community, the people — that’s our favorite part,” Zak said. “Seeing small businesses and farmers be successful and watching the customers be happy. The friendships and the knowledge exchanged — it’s just great.”

Zak said the crowd was fantastic and the vendor variety strong.

Among the sellers, Alyson King of Crooked Oak offered artisan sourdough through her small business, HHH Bakes. She began baking while homeschooling her daughter and now makes loaves in flavors like strawberry, blueberry, white chocolate, caramelized onion, everything bagel and marinara.

A number of vendors brought animals including pigs, ducks and goats. Other vendors brought goods including lawn ornaments, lemonade and funnel cake.

The next Spruce Pine Trade Day will take place Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For updates, visit the SiSu Homestead Facebook page, or join the Spruce Pine Trade Day Facebook group.