By Gina Horan
Whimsy Market Sets Two Major Holiday Events at Sunsational Farms
Whimsy Market is gearing up for a packed holiday season at Sunsational Farms in Umatilla with two major events that bring together local makers, family activities and plenty of reasons to spend a winter day outside.
First up is the 5th Annual Holiday Market on Nov. 29 from 11am-4pm. This family event fills the farm with more than 80 vendors, food trucks and a long list of activities for kids.
Visitors can take free self-take photos with Santa, hop on pony rides, visit Hunt’s Exotics petting zoo or bounce between carnival games and the inflatable attractions. A scavenger hunt begins Nov. 24 with nine different prizes to be raffled off at the event on Nov. 29. Clues will be posted on Whimsy Market’s and Sunsational’s Facebook on Nov 24.
Whimsy’s signature giveaway basket is valued at over $550. Stop by the booth for more information. The vendor lineup includes returning favorites like Amish Pretzel Shop, Chic.linx Permanent Jewelry, EcuVida, The Wandering Stitch and Coco’s Sweet Treats.
“Erica and I are extremely excited for this time of year,” says Nikki Anderson, co-owner of Whimsy and Erica Rew’s business partner. “We love bringing people together during the holiday season.”
The season continues with the 4th Annual Shop Under the Lights on Dec. 13 from 5pm-9pm.
This evening market transforms the property into a festive outdoor walkway lit with holiday strands and packed with more than 50 vendors.
The event includes food trucks, free Santa photos provided by a professional photographer sponsored by Advent Health and monster truck rides for kids. There is a small fee for the rides, so check the website or the booth for details. Santa will join in on the rides throughout the evening.
Guests are also encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for a community food drive with Chosen in Him. Anyone who donates will be entered into the signature giveaway basket raffle.
Alongside these holiday events, the weekly Fresh Market at Ferran continues every Wednesday from 5pm-8pm at Ferran Park in downtown Eustis. Vendors rotate each week with produce, baked goods, honey, plants and handmade goods. The market will pause on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 for the holiday break and return Jan 7.
In 2026, Whimsy plans to add more small makers to its markets and expand themed nights at Ferran. Also, expect more events like the United in Faith Pop-up in January, Big Orange Day in February and the fourth annual Easter Market in March.
Full details are on the website at www.whimsy-market.com.
Gina moved to Central Florida in August 2021 from the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a degree in linguistics and worked as a fashion editor, photo stylist lifestyle columnist and food writer for the Knight Ridder Newspaper Group. She also covered and photographed music festivals, fashion shows and sports throughout Northern California. In 2000, she joined KSAN radio as a morning show co-host and produced the news and sports content there for four years. She later covered travel, events and the restaurant scene for KRON-Bay TV. A veteran bartender, Gina has worked in hospitality on and off since high school. She has been with Akers Media since 2022 and hosts the Healthy Living Central Florida podcast. Her passions include travel, road trips, baseball, history books and podcasts, tasting menus and arriving in a new city without a map or guidebook.
