FAIRVIEW TWP. — A popular Mountain Top tavern transformed itself into a holiday wonderland on Sunday in support of the area’s volunteer fire department.
The Broadway Tavern on North Mountain Boulevard hosted their first-ever Christmas Market on Sunday afternoon, with local vendors gathering to spread some holiday cheer, sell some of their merchandise and to raise money for the Mountain Top Hose Company #1.
Event coordinator Joanne Joseph said that idea was formed when a representative from the Hose Company came to receive a check from the Mountain Top Rotary, of which Joseph is a member.
“He was telling us how they desperate they are for funds,” Joseph said. “I thought immediately, what more could I do to help?”
So the call was put out, and a group of vendors and small business owners from around the area signed on to bring a little cheer — and some support — to the volunteer firefighters of the Mountain Top Hose Company, who work to keep the community safe.
“Our volunteers are priceless,” said Jacquie Fine, co-owner of Delightful Confections, providing some tasty homemade baked goods for sale.
Fine said that she and her business partner began the business making cocoa bombs for family members, and as word spread, a business was born.
“I kind of discovered it during COVID, like a lot of people found their hobbies,” Fine said, referring to how she discovered her knack for baking.
Up for grabs at Sunday’s holiday market included baked goods like Fine’s, Christmas decorations, jewelry, clothes and other accessories, most with an eye toward the winter time.
In addition to the vendors, a basket raffle offered even more chances to bring home something special for the holidays, while the Mountain Top Hose Company was represented at Sunday’s market with a purse raffle, a take on the department’s typical purse bingo.
“We used to do a live bingo, but COVID rearranged things for us,” said Tiffany Herron, from the Hose Company.
Tiffany and Mike Herron, both members of the fire department, were moved and grateful for the support they’ve received from the community.
“It’s overwhelming, the support we get,” Mike said.
The purse raffle winner will be drawn via Facebook on Dec. 4, so for anyone who was unable to make it to the Christmas Market, there’s still time to enter for a chance to win. Those interested could purchase tickets from the Hose Company directly or at several Mountain Top businesses, including Century 21 Smith Hourigan Group, Women’s Boutique and Consignments and Mountain Top Gold and Coin.
The market also doubled as a way for small, local businesses to make some sales and get a chance to meet people in the community.
Meghan Colburn, from Minnoe Boutique based out of Shavertown, just opened up her business in August.
“It’s been awesome, I’ve gotten to tap into the community,” Colburn said. “I met Joanne [Joseph] at a purse bingo, and I was happy to sign up for this.”
With a background in human resources, Colburn recently decided to change course and embrace her lifelong love of fashion.
“One day, I said to myself that I needed to follow my passion,” she said. “I’ve always loved fashion, I’m always looking for accessories.”
The crowd was strong to start the day and continued to come through the Tavern in waves as the hours wore on.
In speaking about the importance of supporting their local hose company, Joseph noted just how much the area relies on the men and women of the Mountain Top Hose Company #1.
“Being a Mountain Top resident, I need to be protected,” she said. “All of our homes depend on them … that’s why we did this.”
