This weekend kicks off the holiday shopping season. Instead of battling hordes of people at a mall for a so-so Black Friday deal, Maricopans instead can support local vendors by shopping locally during the annual Maricopa Main Street Marketplace.
The marketplace, created and organized by Peg Chapados and Tina Frank, is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Leading Edge Academy, 18700 N. Porter Road, next to Pacana Park.
There will be 32 booths featuring the work of local artists and artisans with a huge selection that makes a perfect Christmas gift.
At least one of the participants, painter Pamela Thielen, will be donating all the profits from her sales that day to the GUD ARK animal rescue group. Pamela Thielen Fine Art will be in Booth 16.
“I’m also doing a free raffle for a gift card to Neaux Coffee Company,” Thielen said. “I am doing all I can to support my community.”
There will be concessions available in the lobby. Proceeds support Propel Kids, a church group affiliated with Leading Edge Academy.
![A blue square highlights the area of the proposed affordable housing development and "Restaurant Row" sitting south of city hall and the Maricopa Police Department. Preliminary architectural drawings were not yet available. [City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041724-affordable-housing-project-restaurant-row-218x150.jpg "Affordable apartments planned near ‘Restaurant Row’")
![A blue square highlights the area of the proposed affordable housing development and "Restaurant Row" sitting south of city hall and the Maricopa Police Department. Preliminary architectural drawings were not yet available. [City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041724-affordable-housing-project-restaurant-row-100x70.jpg "Affordable apartments planned near ‘Restaurant Row’")
