One spring, my coworker and friend Elvia Verdugo spotted me at the massive Made in Tucson market, bags upon bags hanging from my wrists.
Truth be told, my partner and I were redecorating our living room. We purchased macrame plant hangers, colorful concrete pots shaped as flowers and a canvas of a Joe Pagac mural, among my normal go-to finds (i.e., sparkly earrings and ube cookies).
Melissa Henshaw, right, the owner of Melissa Henshaw Ceramics, helps a curious customer during the 2024 Tucson Together market hosted by #ThisIsTucson. Henshaw will be a vendor at the 2025 market.
When we were about halfway through the biannual market, we had bought so many items that we had to take the streetcar back to our parked car to stash the heavy purchases. Naturally, we hopped back on the streetcar to finish the rest of the market. I didn’t want to leave without seeing every single tent.
I love local markets. I love meeting the people who spend hours painting, drawing and baking. I love seeing the uncommon wares — funky-shaped earrings that someone very tediously shaped from clay, candles that look and smell like my favorite sugary cereal, perfume reminiscent of our beloved monsoon.
I’m constantly inspired by Tucson’s creatives.
Come Saturday, Feb. 22, #ThisIsTucson — the Arizona Daily Star’s sister site — is hosting a market featuring more than 100 local makers who will show off their handmade soaps, apparel, prints, stickers, jewelry, candles, ceramics and so much more. I hope you’ll feel as inspired by them as I do.
Brianda Felix, the owner of Linked by Bri, helps Ashley Whittier pick out charms for her permanent bracelet during the 2024 Tucson Together market hosted by #ThisIsTucson. Felix will be a vendor at the 2025 market.
Here’s what you need to know
#ThisIsTucson’s third annual Tucson Together market will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at 55 N. Fifth Ave. — that’s the gravel-filled lot right across from Hotel Congress. New this year: we’ll be closing a small portion of the street in addition to the main space that we’ve used in previous years.
Beyond the 100 talented makers, you’ll find five food trucks that serve acai bowls, coffee, pizza, burgers and Oaxacan dishes. I’m already having trouble deciding what to get for lunch that day.
Our market will also feature a donation drive benefitting local nonprofit Youth On Their Own, which supports the high school graduation and success of youth experiencing homelessness. Please bring a donation to support them — here’s what they need for their mini mall, a free pantry for the youth:
- Mac and cheese
- Ramen
- Peanut butter
- Cereal
- Body lotion
- Shaving cream
What else? Local nonprofit Tucson Tome Gnome, a group of three friends who hide free books around town, will hide eight books — all written by Arizona authors — around the market area. Get there early to find a book!
Bushido Studio will be set up to do flash tattoos. They’ll be next to Sigfus Designs, who is bringing their massive charm bar where you can customize your own necklace or bracelet.
Darby Hunter Art created this gorgeous desert-themed design that will be on shirts at #ThisIsTucson’s Tucson Together market on Feb. 22.
If you stop by #ThisIsTucson’s tent, you can pick up info on a scavenger hunt, which will lead you to vendor booths to find an artist who is a Tucson native or someone who makes something with cacti printed on it. You could win a prize when you turn in your scavenger sheet at the end of your journey! Think tickets to Reid Park Zoo and Flandrau.
We’ll also be selling limited-edition shirts designed by Darby Hunter Art, who will also bring her wares to the market.
And remember how I mentioned Hotel Congress earlier? The monthly Desert Haze Market — where you can shop all kinds of vintage clothing — will take place on the Hotel Congress patio at the same time as our market. You’ll also find live music from The McCharmlys — the show is free! — during the market. Their first set will be at 3 p.m., and their second set will close the market at 4 p.m.
The gate between our market and Hotel Congress’ patio will be open, so you can flow between both areas seamlessly — maybe even grab a drink from their bar and stay a while.
For a full list of vendors, head to thisistucson.com.
