Shoppers will have a chance to shop local and support small Bermudian vendors and businesses in Dockyard at a special Mistletoe Market this weekend.

The Destination Dockyard: Mistletoe Market on Sunday (December 9) will showcase more than 20 vendors on the North Lawn as well as entertainment ranging from school choirs to dancers.

Port Royal Primary School Choir will open the day with a selection of songs in the Clocktower Mall at 11am and they will be followed by Bermuda Institute choir at 12.30pm. Afterwards there will be entertainment by local favorites, DJ Rusty G, DanceSations School of Dance and Kinetix – Natural Movement Studio on the North Lawn main stage.

Immediately after the Mistletoe Market, which starts at 1pm, there will be the annual Carols with the Dolphins event at the Dolphin Lagoon in Dolphin Quest. Doors open at 5pm with free entry with the show, featuring Last Call, a local Gospel Vocal Group featuring Tricray Astwood and Adrian Jones, starting at 5.30pm and finishing at 6pm.

Stephanie Rodill, the Marketing and Events Manager for West End Development Corporation, which is organizing the event in partnership with PinkSand Entertainment and the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said: “Last weekend we had our inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony which was a truly magical experience with a big line up of extremely talented local performers thoroughly entertaining all of our guests.

“This weekend we have an impressive line up of local vendors and small businesses showcasing their products and services, so it is a great chance to shop local for Christmas.

“Guests can expect to see vendors like Scrapbook Diva Designs, Duch Pops, Ashley’s Lemonade, Budget Enterprise, NaKid, Sweet Saak Bakery, Field Hives & Honey, Butterfli, SunKissed Hair & Henna, the Jamie Madison Collection, Loquat Roots, Lifestyles, 441 Wave, NovelTea, Umami, Funneliscious and Zen Crystals. And as always, the historic Clocktower Mall will also be open.”

Ms Rodill said that surrounding businesses would also be open with some having special offers, such as Diamonds International which is offering discounts of up to 75 percent on select merchandise and donating five percent of proceeds on sales to local charity, The Lady Cubit Compassionate Association. Santa will also be visiting the Frog and Onion between 1pm and 3pm.

Last month, WEDCO held the Festival of Trees, a Christmas tree decorating contest to raise money for local primary and middle schools, and Ms Rodill said she was delighted to announce that Purvis Primary School had received the most votes – winning $1,500.00; second place was awarded to St. David’s Primary School, which won $1,000.00; third place was awarded to Mount Saint Agnes Academy, winning $500.00; and 3 honorable mentions were awarded to Port Royal Primary School, Heron Bay Primary School and Bermuda Institute, each winning $250. The trees will be on display for Dockyard Guests to enjoy all month long!

The Mistletoe Market is from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday and the Christmas Carols with the Dolphins, which is free, is from 5.30pm to 6pm.

• Press release from the West End Development Corporation