Marion Square transformed into a holiday village again this weekend as the final farmers markets before Christmas drew crowds seeking local gifts, fresh ingredients, and an antidote to mall-style shopping.

The markets, running Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featured the usual array of produce vendors alongside artisans offering handmade gifts. Pottery, jewelry, textiles, preserves, and baked goods filled tables beneath tents arranged around the square.

For those assembling holiday meals, the markets offered ingredients unavailable at supermarkets. Specialty meats from local farms. Produce picked days rather than weeks ago. Cheeses, breads, and condiments made in small batches by people who could answer questions about every ingredient.

The gift-shopping drew perhaps the largest crowds. With Christmas days away, the markets offered a chance to find something unique rather than generic. A piece of jewelry from a local metalsmith carries different meaning than something ordered online with one-day shipping.

Vendors who’ve worked these markets for years know the rhythm. The final weekend before Christmas brings a particular urgency. Shoppers who browse leisurely in October return in December with lists and limited time.

The holiday tree at the center of the square provided a festive backdrop as families posed for photos between shopping expeditions. Street musicians added seasonal soundtracks. Food vendors sold warm drinks to shoppers navigating the December chill.

The markets continue through Christmas Eve week, with the final market on December 24 giving last-chance shoppers one more opportunity. Then the vendors pack up until the regular Saturday market season resumes in the new year.