Canceled, revived, now canceled again. Twist on huge downtown Modesto holiday fair

Why wait until the last minute to get your Christmas shopping done when you can hit any of several events early — and support local artisans at the same time?

That’s right, time has flown again, and it’s already holiday craft fair season in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions.

However, one of the city’s most popular and largest events has been removed from under the Christmas tree.

DoMo Shop, which for the past two years replaced the wildly popular Mod Shop on Small Business Saturday, won’t be held.

Taken over to keep the spirit of Mod Shop alive by the Downtown Modesto Partnership (DoMo), it was expanded from an evening vendor fair to include local businesses and independent vendors.

But the organization has decided not to hold the event this year.

According to Sandra Hilton-Kaepp, district services manager for the Modesto Downtown Improvement District/Downtown Modesto Partnership, the event “saw a decline in attendance, partly due to increased competition from other holiday fairs and events.”

DoMo also “wanted to shift our focus toward a broader campaign that encourages patrons to visit Downtown throughout the holiday season, rather than concentrating on a single day,” she said in an email interview.

Instead, the group will launch its Downtown Winter Wander-Land, designed to draw locals and visitors to the business area in Modesto throughout the holiday season, she said. It will run from November through January.

There will be two features, a Window Wander-Land and a Shop & Sleigh.

Local artists will fill downtown storefronts with holiday-themed public art for Window Wander-Land. “Festively decorated windows will enhance walkability and encourage foot traffic to businesses,” Hilton-Kaepp said. It’s in partnership with the Stanislaus Arts Council.

In addition, it will highlight festive-themed programs, according to a press release, such as Modesto On Ice; shows at the Gallo Center, the State Theatre and Prospect Theater Project; community celebrations; events at the McHenry Museum and McHenry Mansion; and more.

Shop & Sleigh will offer shoppers who spend $50 or more at downtown businesses from Nov. 21 to Jan. 7 a chance to enter a drawing for a prize package from local merchants.

A website, domowinterwanderland.com, will serve as a hub for all the holiday happenings, the release said.

But even without DoMo Shop, you still can get your fill of shopping at a number of craft fairs in the greater Modesto and Mother Lode regions. Here’s a look at just some:

Holiday Marketplace – Nov. 1: Vendors selling crafts, food, gifts and more. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Neighborhood Church of Modesto, 5921 Stoddard Road. 209-380-2582.

Kris Kringle Market — Nov. 1: Crafts, gifts, baked goods, jams and more. Chili and cornbread lunch available for $6. Santa is expected to make an appearance. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St., Escalon. 209-838-7695.

Handcrafters Boutique – Nov. 1: More than 50 vendors with bath and body products, home decor, jewelry, sweets and more. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. United Lutheran Church, 649 Northgate Drive, Manteca. 209-823-197.

Carnegie Artisan Market – Nov. 6: More than 40 vendors with items including art, jewelry, candles, woodworking, leather goods, fabric art, accessories, holiday ornaments and more. 5-8 p.m. Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. Free entry. carnegieartsturlock.org.

Holiday Craft Faire – Nov. 6-8: Quilts, fall and Christmas decorations, wood and metal crafts, baked goods, jams, jellies, relishes and nuts. Complimentary coffee and tea provided. Lunch will be available for purchase. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 Minaret Ave., Turlock. 209-667-7712.

Candy Cane Lane Holiday Bazaar — Nov. 7-8: Homemade goods, foods and crafts. Lunch also will be available. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church Spirit Center, 617 W. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto. 209-522-8890.

Stanislaus County Fairgrounds Holiday Market — Nov. 8: Vendors, free kids crafts, food, complimentary mimosas. Photo opportunity with Santa Claus. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Stanislaus County Fairground floriculture area, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. Free entry. 209-668-1333.

Craft Fair — Nov. 8-9: There will be 60 booths with wood crafts, Christmas decor, glassware, soap, quilts, jewelry, baked goods and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday. Parish Center of St. Mary’s Church, 55 N. Oak Ave. Oakdale. 209-985-1486.

Crafty Chicks Holiday Market – Nov. 22: More than 65 indoor vendors with gifts, artisan foods, decor and more. There also will be a craft class. Food trucks available. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, Angels Camp. $3 entry. Email craftychicksroadshow@gmail.com.

Hilmar Holiday Expo – Nov. 23: Local vendors will be selling their goods, food vendors, raffles and more. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Hilmar Grange Hall, 8188 CA-165. www.facebook.com/thehilmarholidayexpo.

Cowboy Christmas Craft Show – Nov. 28-29: Oakdale Cowboy Museum holiday event with a variety of vendors. Cowboy Santa available for photos from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday only. Craft fair 5-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. 209-847-7049.

Hometown Crafters Christmas Faire – Nov. 28-29: Featuring local artisans and crafters. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Sonora Opera Hall, 250 S. Washington St., Sonora. Email Hometowncrafterssonora@gmail.com.

Holiday Craft Fair – Dec 6: Featuring several vendors with homemade and other items. Homemade lunch and other treats available for purchase. Santa will be available from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for photos. Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuolumne River Lodge, 2429 River Road, Modesto. 209-537-6651.

Cookie Walk & Christmas Market Festival – Dec. 6: There will be a marketplace featuring artisan vendors, carol singalongs, music, a crafting area for kids, storytellers and more. Santa will be available all day for photos. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free for festival, $12 donation for the Cookie Walk. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto. Call 209-522-3267 for Cookie Walk tickets or email stpaulsmodestoca@gmail.com.

Christmas Tree Lighting and Craft Fair: – Dec. 6: Craft and food vendors will be available during the event. Pictures with Santa Claus, firetruck rides, live music and more. 4-8 p.m. Newman Downtown Plaza, 1328 Main St. Free. 209-862-3200.

Riverbank Christmas Parade & Craft Fair – Dec. 13: The “Cali Christmas”-themed craft fair will offer handmade items. 3-7 p.m. downtown Riverbank. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. in downtown. Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with the Grinch, will be at a tree-lighting ceremony following the parade. 209-863-7150.