The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce hosted its third annual Holiday Black Bazaar Dec. 6-7 featuring even more vendors, decorations, celebrations and holiday spirits as the organization aims to make it bigger each year.
The Holiday Black Bazaar was held over two days for the first time in its three years. This year, it was hosted at the Black Business Hub, 2352 S. Park St., in its new location with around 50 vendors, musical performances, photo opportunities with Santa, and activities for kids. This was all coupled with other businesses in the building that stayed open longer just for the event.
“We got an exciting activation between inside the atrium and outside at the tent and we got a lot of activity happening in both places,” said Camille Carter, CEO of the Black Chamber. “It’s a lot of work keeping everyone happy, but everyone is overall very happy, but it could be a little warmer.”
The bazaar was split between the main atrium of the building and a tent in the Black Business Hub’s parking lot. Outside in the tent, food vendors filled the area while the inside showcased a touch of everything from the Black Chambers members’ businesses. A holiday discount was offered in the form of a scratch ticket as many shoppers took advantage of the holiday season in full swing.
One family in attendance was having a busy day as they zipped around all of Madison for its weekend holiday offerings.
The Seiberlich family is a transracial adoptive family. While they are white, their son is Black, and they try to make sure he has as many experiences in Madison’s Black community as possible.
(Photo by Omar Waheed)
“That’s so important to us, and there’s so many more things going on that I think weren’t going on years ago,” Heather Seiberlich told Madison365. “It’s pretty cool to see the different Santas and the different kid activities that are happening in the community, and the businesses. We like to make sure we’re shopping down here and picking up stuff.”
Seiberlich’s favorite part was pictures with Santa, both at the Holiday Black Bazaar and earlier that day at the Progress Center for Black Women’s event at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, in the family’s matching pajamas.
“Seeing Santa, and he still has the magic of Santa, so it’s fun to still see that at 11,” Seiberlich said, pointing to his son.
