Palm Springs gets new open air market

If you want to get ahead on your holiday shopping, and give one-of-a-kind gifts at your holiday party, the Palm Springs Open Air Market and Street Fair at the Spa Resort Casino has your name on it.

“Years ago, I used to do all the London street fairs and open air markets. I used to do 50 of them a week,” Palm Springs Open Air Market partner Dawn Cullernebown said.

You’ll see this once a week, so get ready to start your weekend shopping.

“I thought there’s nothing here in Palm Springs, it’s all over at COD, or it’s here on a Thursday night. There’s nothing here on a Saturday morning,” Cullernebown said.

An international array of prepared and packaged gourmet foods lined the fair. More than 100 vendors sold their specialty items — from art to jewelry and even clothing.

“These merchants are used to making deals and bartering and hawking. They love it. It’s a way of life for them. It’s how they make their living,” Palm Springs Open Air Market partner Mindy King said.

People agree that if you do your Christmas shopping at a market like this, you won’t get any repeat gifts.

“They’re not mass produced. There are a lot of people here who make their own products, hand crafts,” Cullernebown said.

The street fair continues every Saturday morning from 9 to 2:30 until May 25th of next year. So, if you want to be the relative handing out the must-have gifts next month — you know where to go.