36th annual Christmas Carousel Market opens as holiday shopping season begins

Thousands showed up Friday at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds for the 36th annual Christmas Carousel Market.

The market has over 200 vendors selling food, arts & crafts, and artisan goods. Many of the vendors are small vendors.

Many visitors who came Friday were dressed in holiday apparel to celebrate the holiday season as they started shopping.

Event organizers anticipate over 22,000 people will attend the market.

The event also has a celebrity Santa named “Cliff Kringle.” Kringle is an inductee of the Santa Hall of Fame and has been listening to kids’ wishes for nearly 20 years.

“I saw some when they were newborns, and now they’re teenagers,” Kringle said. “That’s a blessing. To see them grow up and see that they recognize me, [and] that they want to come back year after year. That’s what touches my heart.”

The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $10 and are valid for multiple days.