MARYSVILLE — The Ken Baxter Community Center’s fourth annual Fall Order Up Gift Show drew 23 vendors and an estimated 400 attendees on Saturday, Nov. 16.

“We created this event due to demand from the vendors,” Ken Baxter Community Center Coordinator Maryke Burgess said. “There are many craft bazaars out there, but commercial vendors are often excluded from such events, because their products aren’t handcrafted. We saw a void, and we’re glad to have filled that need. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the commercial vendors and, from my experience, the products tend to be high-quality. It’s also nice that our customers can shop from inventory, or even order online.”

Burgess elaborated on how the Order Up Gift Show is unique in giving commercial vendors their own local venue.

“Sometimes, customers want to explore the products that certain companies offer, but they’re hesitant because they don’t want the pressure of having an in-home party, so this is a perfect alternative to learn about a vendor’s products,” Burgess said.

The Order Up Gift Show’s commercial vendors on Nov. 16 included familiar favorites such as Scentsy, Thirty-One Gifts, Avon, Mary Kay, Stella & Dot, Origami Owl, PartyLite and H2O at Home.

“Miche Bags and Pampered Chef always seem to do well,” said Burgess, who also singled out Norwex for its natural cleaning supplies, and expressed excitement over the companies who were represented for the first time at this year’s show. Those included Tower Gardens, an indoor garden container company, as well as Pink Papaya and Perfectly Posh beauty and spa products, and Mommies Club, which sells wholesale natural products.

“It’s always great to have Kristina McGrady from Lemongrass Spa in attendance,” Burgess said. “She’s great at allowing people to sample her beauty products, and she does it with such enthusiasm.”

This year’s attendance remained relatively consistent with the crowds that the Order Up Gift Show has drawn for its Saturday shows, barring the one time that snow was forecast for the same weekend. Burgess reported that the vendors seemed satisfied with the day’s turnout and trade both.

“Vendors always seem happy, and they generally do well,” said Burgess, who likewise reported that the event’s vendor count has remained fairly steady at roughly two dozen. “It’s all a matter of what each vendor is expecting for themselves. Some just want to make back their booth fees, while others have goals of booking parties or selling from their existing inventories. Some simply enjoy networking with other vendors. Overall, people’s expectations are met.”

Burgess touted the Order Up Gift Show as but one of many events that the city of Marysville’s Parks and Recreation Department offers the community.

“This event in particular is a terrific way to take advantage of vendors’ deals, shop early for the holidays, and actually see and feel some great products,” Burgess said. “Each year, the market for craft shows and vendors’ shows gets more and more saturated, so I’m just happy that vendors and shoppers still enjoy coming to our shows, year after year.”