As the event opens its doors on Saturday, visitors will be able to enjoy the wonderful variety each chalet has to offer. The Belfast Telegraph spoke with first-time vendors and some of the more experienced ones, to find out a bit more about the people behind the stalls. Emma Goodman (36) is taking part in the market for the first time after winning a competition for local entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland to secure a stall for Christmas.
She sells luxury dog accessories which she designs herself and incorporates her engineering background into her creations. “I got a phone call at the end of August and was told I’d won. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would, but it’s amazing.
I have an engineering background so I have incorporated that into the dog accessories to make them that bit extra. “I make sure the material is high quality down to the detail in the print and comfort. It’s all about the dogs and making sure they are comfortable.
I do everything from leads, collars, bandanas, matching poop bag holders and different styles of harnesses. “I can already feel the buzz of the city now just being down here. It’s all about meeting the people and just having that Christmas vibe and feeling and experiencing it.
” US-born Kim and Kirby, both 31, run a caricature stall called Snickerdoodle and have had a stall at the market for the past six years. The couple tour their business all around the world drawing comically exaggerated animations of market-goers.