Well, y'all… we think we can finally say we're recovered!

After months of planning, organizing, promoting, answering questions, making lists, changing lists, and probably questioning our sanity a time or two, the Y'allternative Market on Main has come and gone. And now that we've had a little time to catch our breath, Hayley and I want to take a moment to say something very important.

THANK YOU. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

First, to our returning vendors - thank you for coming back and continuing to support what we're building. And to our new vendors who took a chance on two gals with a big idea - thank you for trusting us enough to be part of it! We know putting your business out there takes time, money, effort, and faith in an event, and we don't take that trust lightly. To those of you who traveled to join us, we appreciate the extra effort it took to be there.

To the vendors who encouraged us, supported us, checked in on us, and reminded us why we're doing this in the first place - y'all are a special kind of wonderful. We went into this hoping to create an opportunity for small businesses, makers, and local entrepreneurs, but we have gained so much more than that. The encouragement and camaraderie among our vendors mean more than you know.

And to every shopper who came out to support us and our vendors - THANK YOU! Every person who walked through those doors, stopped at a booth, bought something handmade, grabbed a bite to eat, or simply came to see what all the fuss was about helped make this event what it was. When you shop small, you're supporting real people, real families, and real dreams. We hope you found something you loved and enjoyed spending part of your Saturday with us!

We also owe a HUGE thank-you to the people behind the scenes who helped make all of this possible.

❤️ Our families: Thank you for putting up with the long hours, the endless market talk, the time away from home, and the general chaos that comes with trying to pull off an event like this. Thank you for helping us set up, tear down, haul things around, and do all the unglamorous work that happens before and after the shoppers arrive. We couldn't do it without you, and we promise we'll try to talk about something other than the market for at least five minutes. (No guarantees.) 😂

❤️ The City of Dows: Thank you for supporting our little endeavor and for helping us close off the street so we could make room for the event. We appreciate having a community that is willing to work with us and help bring something like this to life.

❤️ Jeanette Wenzel: Thank you for answering approximately one million questions from us! We know we kept you busy, and we are so grateful for your patience, your help, and your willingness to guide us through all the details.

❤️ Melinda and Ryan Caquelin: Thank you for all the logistical help outdoors! Coordinating the outdoor spaces, parking, and all the moving pieces takes a lot of thought and effort, and having your help made a big difference.

❤️ Liana Langfitt of Dereree Designs: Thank you for the beautiful backdrop! It added such a fun touch to the event and gave everyone a lovely spot to capture some memories.

❤️ Holy Dodge: Thank you for providing the saddle! It was a HUGE hit for pictures, and we loved seeing everyone have fun with it. It was the perfect fit for our Y'allternative theme.

❤️ Everyone who shared our event: Whether you shared a Facebook post, invited a friend, posted about the market, told someone in person, or helped spread the word in any other way, THANK YOU! We know getting the word out takes a village, especially for a small-town event, and every share helped us reach someone new.

And finally, to everyone who has cheered us on, offered advice, lent a hand, sent an encouraging message, or simply told us they were excited to see the market happen - we appreciate you more than we can say.

When Hayley and I started working on these markets, we wanted to create a place where small businesses could connect with shoppers, where talented people could share what they make, and where our community could come together for something fun and a little different.

Y'all showed us that there's room for all of that - and then some.

We are two gals with big ideas, a whole lot of enthusiasm, and apparently a questionable understanding of how much work goes into organizing an event. 😉 But we're learning, we're growing, and we're incredibly grateful to have so many wonderful people alongside us.

Thank you for being part of the Y'allternative Market on Main. Thank you for believing in what we're trying to build. And thank you for making October 10 such a special day!

Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to finish drinking something warm, put our feet up, and try NOT to start planning another one just yet.