VIENNA — A local holiday tradition continues this weekend as the Historical Society of Maries County (HSMC) hosts its 19th Annual Christmas Market Craft and Vendor Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Vienna.

The HSMC Christmas Market Craft and Vendor Show began as a smaller event at the old Methodist church in Vienna.

“It was a big production for the historical society board,” HSMC President Lisa Jones, who now co-chairs the event with Vice President Glenda Baxter, said. “They made homemade cakes and soups and pies and things, in addition to setting it up.”

When Jones began overseeing the event, she suggested collaborating with someone else to provide food at the event. HSMC began a partnership with the Welschmeyer Relay for Life team to sell food during the show.

“They’re a big draw for us because they’re such good cooks,” Jones said. “Their desserts are well-known throughout the community. People come just to buy the desserts to take home.”

This year’s menu will include various soups, hot dogs, sandwiches, sausage casserole, fruit and dessert offerings such as pies and cinnamon rolls.

The event’s relocation to the larger Knights of Columbus Hall has allowed HSMC to invite more vendors to the Christmas Market Craft and Vendor Show. In the event’s early days, there was enough room for about 20 vendors. During recent years, it has grown to 52 vendors inside with additional space for about 10 vendors outdoors if the weather permits.

Limited space at the show means HSMC typically invites vendors rather than opening spots. The first recipients are usually vendors who have sold at the show in the past. If spots remain open, the organization looks for vendors who can fill niches that the other vendors do not already share. HSMC also prioritizes local vendors.

Increasing space for vendors has also attracted more visitors. HSMC counts visitors as they enter the show to track growth. In the beginning, about 300 people attended. Recent years have seen that increase to between 1,200 and 1,500 visitors on average. Visitors and vendors alike travel from across the state to attend the show.

“A new thing we’ve started is doing it as ‘Come to Vienna Day,’” Jones said. “Spend the day in Vienna and eat, and buy, and just enjoy a day with your friends. We’re encouraging other businesses to have some kind of sale or open house.”

Businesses that plan to open on Saturday during the market include The Flower Basket, 63 Vintage Market & Antiques, The Rainey House and Hen House Boutique and Decor. HSMC plans to share more information about what other local businesses are doing on the day of the show on its Facebook page.

In the days leading to the show, HSMC’s Facebook page is also highlighting some of the vendors with daily countdown posts showcasing what this year’s show has to offer, including jewelry, candles, Christmas decor and crafts made from a variety of materials such as wood, leather, fabric and metal. Jones said she is excited for visitors to see the options available from this year’s food vendors.

“Vienna and the surrounding areas love food,” she said. “Food vendors sell out almost every time they come. We have a new lady coming with cupcakes that are absolutely beautiful. Vienna House Sweets is bringing her iced sugar cookies. We have a meat vendor bringing meat sticks.”

This year’s visitors will have their last chance to buy a familiar favorite item as Jones said members of the Glad Tidings Church who sell pumpkin rolls at every Christmas show have decided that this year will be their last.

“They are delicious,” Jones said. “People call me: ‘Are the pumpkin roll people going to be there?’”

The event will also feature for sale HSMC books about the history of the county and local cemeteries. When the event concludes at 2 p.m., there will be raffle drawings for a quilt donated by The Maries County Bank and other prizes.

The annual Christmas Market Craft and Vendor Show, along with its spring counterpart, serves as HSMC’s primary form of fundraising outside of its membership dues. Jones said the next project the organization plans to undertake is new shelving for the research room in the courthouse basement because it anticipates some new additions to the archives. About 25 volunteers from HSMC, the WINGS Youth Group from Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Vienna High School National Honors Society help with the setup and takedown in addition to the Welschmeyer Relay for Life Team providing food throughout the event.