MATTAPOISETT — Although school wasn’t in session, the auditorium at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School was far from empty on Saturday, Dec, 21, thanks to the Old Rochester Winter Farmers Market and Craft Fair, organized by High School Senior Audrey Knox.

Knox said this was her second year organizing the event, and that she started planning as far back as October. To make her plan a reality, she had to fill out a building use form, make flyers, and send out “about a million emails.” 

This year she recruited fellow students Luke Couto, Byanca Silva, and Meghan Berg to play the part of Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and a snowman specifically to add a festive component to the event. 

With about 20 vendors, the event had a wide variety of items, ranging from fresh produce to hand-made jewelry.

Patti Zimmerman showcased fresh vegetables from her “Patti’s Patch” business, but her new line of products seemed to draw the most attention from guests.

Zimmerman has now teamed up Jill Allen and two other agricultural growers to create CBD products derived from hemp. The non-psychoactive component to marijuana is known for its healing capabilities, which Zimmerman and Allen can attest to personally.

The two women showed off their first batch of the new product at the farmers market, and said they were excited to start their new business, “Big Rock Acres” based in Middleboro.

As far as the benefits of using the CBD oils, Allen said “it’s very individual” from one person to the next, and that “we find that it’s helpful with pain, arthritis, and skin irritation.”

Stephen Almeida, of Fairhaven showed off a selection of elaborate birdhouses with a variety of colors and designs.

The mastermind behind “For the Birds” said he often gets his ideas while trying to sleep at night, and then uses recycled wood to turn his ideas into reality.

Brandy Lebeau, of New Bedford showed off her homemade candles. She uses simple ingredients like cotton wicks, and soy wax to create products named “Elf Sweat,” “Reindeer Kisses,” and “Baby it’s Cold Outside.”

Other items included  antiques Cece and D Traveling Market of Mattapoisett, handmade jewelry from the Larkin family of Rochester, and a variety of fresh produce and baked goods.