MONTEGO BAY, St James — For six hours last Saturday hundreds of shoppers sampled delectable food and thirst-quenching beverages as they browsed 18 stalls with a variety of items on sale for CPJ’s Holiday Market at Freeport in Montego Bay.

“This is the best one! Last year was our first, but this year is bigger and better,” declared CPJ Senior Manager for Retail Store Operations Tamia Edwards.

“We have more vendors this year, we have more items on sale and discounts, we have a full bar here which is actually free if you RSVP’d. We have our Santa Clause village and it’s just a good time with giveaways, surprises, and just lots of fun and excitement,” she added.

From 3:00 pm, patrons lined up to get a taste of popular CPJ fare such as honey, sourdough bread, lasagne, shrimp, rum, beer, fruit, and vegetables.

For Yanique White, a beekeeper and owner of Bee Sweet Honey, the Holiday Market provided a great opportunity to meet current and potential customers.

“It’s been good. Getting to mix and mingle with the customers and hearing their feedback about the product; trust me, that’s priceless,” she said.

She was among vendors with stalls at the event.

CPJ’s Edwards said they were eager to provide opportunities for this type of engagement between vendors and patrons.

“We have 18 vendors today and our customers are thrilled to meet our vendors and sample their products,” she told the Jamaica Observer during the event. “A lot of sales are being made today, we have a really nice flow and a nice vibe happening here.”