The 38th Annual Mistletoe Mart kicks off the beginning of the holiday shopping season for many local residents.

With 50 vendors, all selling hand made crafts, Mistletoe Mart Publicity Chair Sandy White said there is something for everyone.

"We try to offer a balanced variety of items," White said. "We bring in 12-15 new vendors each year."

This show is what's known as a "juried show" meaning each vendor is personally interviewed and selected for participation in the event. White said they go through a painstaking process to insure that each vendor offers unique, quality items.

Marcie Forster, co-chair of the Mistletoe Mart said the event has been going on since 1973.

"In 1973, we sold cups of coffee for 50 cents, and today, we still sell cups of coffee for 50 cents," Forster laughed.

Forster said they typically get around 1,000 people each day of the event with a total of around 3,000 visitors over the entire weekend.

There are items ranging from jewelry to holiday ornaments, purses, pottery, knits, soaps, foods and an ecclectic selection of other goodies. The vendors come from all over the mid-Atlantic region including Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The Mistletoe Mart is taking place at the Ascension Episcopal Church, 23 N. court St. in Westminster, Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission cost is $6, $1 for children under 12.