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Santa at last weekend’s Winterland Market. Courtesy Ami Hill

Ami Hill at last weekend’s market. Courtesy Ami Hill

Buffy Turner, owner of Stoned Art OBX. Courtesy Ami Hill

The Muse Bus (#Bus252) decked out in Christmas attire, just in time for the holiday season. Courtesy Ami Hill

Ami Hill, owner of Muse Orignials OBX on #Bus252. Courtesy Ami Hill

A “Wacky Whimsical Winterland Market” has made its way to the Outer Banks just in time for the holiday season. Conceptualized to bring some holiday cheer to the beach while helping to maintain the safety of all who attend, this market is set to pop up at Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint every Saturday and Sunday throughout December.

Muse Originals OBX and Stoned Art OBX have teamed up with Jack Brown’s to help bring some Christmas spirit to Kill Devil Hills this year.

Ami Hill, local artist and owner of Muse Originals, began taking her art on the road this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her new mode of transportation, deemed “#Bus252,” has allowed her reach a larger network of people in a safer way. She set up shop at Rundown Café throughout the warmer months of 2020 and gathered other local artists to join her in selling their wares.

Through her setup at Rundown Café, Hill met Buffy Turner, owner of Stoned Art OBX, and the pair chatted about visions for the Muse Bus and its future. “I wanted it to be more than me just sitting out there,” said Hill.

Turner moved to the Outer Banks two years ago and said she has been struggling to “find an outlet to break into the community.” After reaching out to Hill via Facebook, she fell in love with the #Bus252 and spent the summer alongside Hill figuring out how their traveling art bus could do more, even with the pandemic.

After Hill explored several options in terms of ways she could incorporate the bus into local events, she confirmed that a yard sale would be a viable opportunity. “We put together a yard sale right down from Jack Brown’s with several other vendors,” Hill explained. After Turner suggested a larger-scale market, the two went to Jack Brown’s and ended up setting up shop in their backyard.

Although the transition was quick, Hill said they had a lot of fun. Brent Hill, owner of Jack Brown’s, welcomed the bus and when talk of a Christmas pop-up shop came about, he was on board.

“We have all this space and like to run different fundraising events,” Brent Hill told The Coastland Times. “The backyard has been a real benefit to us during this period of the pandemic.” Brent said he felt there was a good opportunity to run a Christmas market in the backyard of Jack Brown’s and partner with Ami Hill and Turner. “This year, it all came together at the right time,” he added.

The Wacky Whimsical Winterland Market features an outdoor, European-type experience, where patrons can walk through, hot beverage in hand, and explore the wares of local artists. Brent Hill said all safety protocols will be enforced, including wearing masks, maintaining 6-feet of social distance, capacity restraints and more. Patrons will be able to interact with Santa safely, as well as special guest, the Grinch. All events will take place outdoors.

Fifty-five local vendors will be rotated throughout the course of each week of the event. In addition, the event will sponsor three local charities for the three weekends it will take place: The SPCA, Outer Banks Hotline and the Surfrider Foundation. “The charity benefit fits in well with what we have done in the past and what we like to do for our community,” said Brent.

The event will run from noon until around 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in December. The artisan village, photos with Santa (and Mr. Grinch), holiday music and an array of toasty beverages and hot meals await guests of Jack Brown’s the weekends of this holiday season.

Limited vendor opportunities are still available. Email museobxmarket@gmail.com if interested in participating. For more information and updates on the event, visit the Wacky Whimsical Winterland Market event page on Facebook.

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