Market by Moonlight: late night shopping in Rockton for last minute gifts, plus there's the moon

At least ten Rockton businesses will be open late from 5:00-10:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, which is the night before the night before Christmas. Look for luminaries lit up in front of participating stores.

Shop by moonlight accompanied by Christmas music and luminaries lighting your way as you sip, shop and snack, all while supporting local businesses.

Sugar Britches owner Jody May says she will be "schlepping candy and Belgian hot chocolate" from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. The specialty hot cocoa is only available during the Market by Moonlight event. May describes it as "Thick. Rich. Decadent. Topped with our handmade marshmallows... the perfect way to start (or end) your Christmas holiday." Each 16 oz jar of "this glorious liquid" comes with a package of marshmallows and sells for $10. Samples may be available.

Pick-A-Dilly Antiques will serve drinks and snacks while you shop. All Christmas items are 10% off storewide, except for candles - "also other surprises," they say. Plus, they can and will wrap a gift for you. They are located inside the historic Hopkins building and have 11 vendors, so you can expect a variety of handmade, primitive, and vintage items.

Vintage Etcetera - A Needful Things Market is hosting a hot chocolate bar throughout the event and the first ten shoppers at 5:00 p.m. will get free gift bags. Their 27 vendors include Butler's Emporium, Years of Stuff, Hardwood Hollow, Stateline Coins, KPCARDS, and Woods A Lot. They promise "sales! sales! sales!" all day.

DeeDee's Main Street Coffee & Decor offers guests a "cup of happiness" in various forms and flavors, plus a fun drawing for a cute gift basket worth $50.

When you're done shopping or even before, the elves at JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery offer to wrap your presents during Market by Moonlight - "one gift from any other shop, or any purchases from our shop." They say they have "great gifts for everyone on your list."

Staff of the Frosted Farmhouse say they will be hiding gift cards in both of their locations - Frosted Farmhouse on Blackhawk and The Market by Frosted Farmhouse on Hawick - not to mention their special deals. To provide late night shopping fuel, they will be serving snacks and warm beverages.

Stop in at The Gem Shop for a chance to win this year's Christmas ring giveaway, a 14k yellow gold ring with a stunning asscher cut aquamarine surrounded by London Blue topaz & diamond accents. They have one of Rockton's widest price ranges: custom bracelets worth thousands or polished minerals at a few dollars a pound.

Home on Hayloft is always full of surprises, and if our news article doesn't tell you enough, you can always visit their Facebook or Pinterest page, or visit them in person. Ask them what "farmhouse style with a Bohemian flair" means, if that doesn't become clear as soon as you enter.

For more local updates, subscribe to our daily newsletter. It's free, fits conveniently in your inbox, and doesn't need to be wrapped. Invite your friends and family!

After the Vine has been serving warm drinks lately, including apple toddie wine and sweet mulling wines, and pairing some of them with chocolate from Sugar Britches.

Local Blessings is selling all Christmas wreaths for 20% off. Their wares include clever sweatshirts and painted boards, stocking stuffers, and unbearably cute gnomes.

Sometime in the evening you can plan to have dinner at Rockton Inn Pub & Grub. As usually for a Thursday night, they will have karaoke (we checked), so your shopping cohort should choose at least one designated singer. Other eateries and drinkeries will also be open, of course.

According to the National Weather Service, even wind chill temperatures are expected to stay above freezing for most of Market by Moonlight, with the wind under 5 mph. As far as the moon goes, astronomers say it will be in the Waning Gibbous phase, 88.13% illuminated, so it will be pretty bright. As far as shopping goes - an excellent early winter night.

The evening is sponsored by Sugar Britches, Local Blessings, The Gem Shop, Pick-A-Dilly Antiques, After the Vine, Rockton Garden Works, Home on Hayloft, Frosted Farmhouse, Jill Rae Finally Art, Rockton Inn Pub & Grub, and the Village of Rockton.

A month ago, we took pictures inside some of these shops. See what's changed! 

More News from Roscoe

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• Saturday's Old Settlers Days headliner Warren Zeiders wins a Country Music Award Zeiders, who won the CMA Breakthrough Male Video of the Year for Pretty Little Poison, will be in Rockton in June.