Annual Mistletoe Market to take place this week

The holiday season still is some weeks away, but a local event this week offers the opportunity for residents to get an early start on gift shopping.

The ninth annual Mistletoe Market at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids will take place Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The market will feature items from 40 Iowa-based vendors who are selling handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces, according to event organizers. That includes home decor, children’s gifts, jewelry and other items.

This year’s market is happening in-person, bringing “a new spark” to the annual tradition after last year’s winter market and its fellow spring event were canceled due to the ongoing pandemic.

“This is a good chance to support the community and get leg up on holiday shopping,” said Joyce Klimes, co-chair of the Mistletoe Market.

The dozens of vendors will set up shop starting at Mercy’s 10th Street SE entrance and extending into the Hallagan Education Center.

A bake sale with homemade cookies, cakes and other treats also will be set up within Mercy’s Watts Library.

Visitors also can purchase raffle tickets for gift certificates and items from local merchants for $2 each, or three for $5.

Individuals can shop virtually at the Mistletoe Market this year, said event co-chair Holly Becker. Individuals can do so by visiting the event’s website, mercycare.org/mistletoe.

Masks are required at all times for those attending the market in-person, event organizers say.

All proceeds of the event go to the Mercy Auxiliary, a fundraising organization run by volunteers who support various projects within Mercy. The organization was founded in 1923, and has served as a fundraiser for various projects benefiting the hospital ever since.

This year, proceeds of the Mistletoe Market will benefit cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery services at Mercy. Becker and Klimes said the Auxiliary creates endowment funds for those departments to use as they see fit.

Mercy Auxiliary also is fundraising to purchase HALO Sleep Sacks, a type of swaddle that is sent home with every baby born at Mercy. The Auxiliary has been financing those gifts for several years, its members say.

Those who plan to attend the Mistletoe Market should park in the 10th Street parking ramp, or across the street near McKinley Middle School. They should avoid parking in the cancer center parking lot or the Eighth and Eighth parking ramp.

For more details on the vendors and other updates from the market, visit the event’s website at mercycare.org/mistletoe.

Officials warn the live market could be subject to cancellation due to COVID-19, so participants should check the market website for updates.

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