Despite all that 2020 has brought and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, that last-minute Christmas shopping still needs to get done.
The Mercado District on Tucsonβs west side offers a safer way to do that this weekend with an outdoor bazaar featuring 23 local small businesses.
As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the annual Christmas en el Barrio used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec 18, 2020. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day. A limited number of volunteers, which added up to just under 50, were present from Nova Home Loans and other community supporters to help welcome vehicles and organize and distribute over $1,600 worth of toys. (Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star)
The pop-up market, which started Friday, Dec. 18, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 20, is scaled-back and socially distanced. Sellers and buyers are required to wear masks while browsing vintage collections, artisan-made goods, jewelry, photography, perfume, chocolates, homemade books, macramΓ© and stained-glass gift ideas.
βI love supporting small businesses,β said Kira Dixon-Weinstein, the executive director of the Mercado District that includes Mercado San Agustin and the MSA Annex. βAnd I always find super-cool stuff for really good deals.β
Vendors will be spaced 12 feet apart, providing room to shop at a socially safe distance. There will be a limited capacity for how many people can shop at one time.
βIt feels like one of the better versions of how to shop because youβre outside with lots of space,β Dixon-Weinstein said. βMask up appropriately, use your judgment and be safe.β
Photos: Christmas en el Barrio goes drive-thru style
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Camila Nunez hands out toys to a family during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. Camila has been taking part in the event since her earliest memories when her father Steve Nunez and Jon Volpe started the event 18 years ago. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Volunteers grab armfuls of toys to handout to children with their families during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Marcos Moreno, a volunteer for 15 years with Miracle en el Barrio, writes the number of children on the front of a mini-van as he welcomes families to the Tucson Rodeo Grounds for the 18th year of the event, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Santa Claus waves at children from a distance during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Danielle Mares, a compliance manager at NOVA Home Loans, hands a bag full of small toys, gift cards and other goodies to the driver of a vehicle during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Marcos Moreno, a volunteer for 15 years with Miracle en el Barrio, writes the number of children on the front of a mini-van as he welcomes families to the Tucson Rodeo Grounds for the 18th year of the event, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Santa Claus talks to children from a distance during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Volunteers gather toys to handout to children during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
Volunteers gather toys to handout to children during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
Miracle en el Barrio
Updated
A volunteers digs out a toy from the bottom of a large box during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
