Elizabethtown is evolving. The town is bursting with small businesses, and Carrington Creasy wants to shine a spotlight on them. Creasy, who co-owns Cider Press Market on Market Street with her mother, Kirstie Williams, is hosting the first E-Town Evolution event. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St.

"We'll have a variety of vendors," said Creasy, who described the event as "a collection of craftsmen." About 30 artisans will sell paintings, candles, custom mugs and homemade soap. "I make jewelry, and my mom does floral wreaths and arrangements," Creasy stated. Her grandmother's homemade afghans and washcloths will be available for purchase as well.

E-Town Evolution will also feature food trucks, including What's For Supper, as well as live music performed by Steven Kissinger from noon to 3 p.m. "He's local to E-Town, so I'm really excited about that," Creasy remarked.

The event will also include activities for children. "A lot of times, when people go to craft shows, the kids get bored, so we'll have lots of things for kids to do," Creasy noted. "We'll have face painting by donation only, barrel train rides, a bean bag toss and more."

Proceeds from the event will benefit three local nonprofits - Pitties.Love.Peace, Hope's Haven Rescue and Youth Camp and the Wolf Sanctuary of PA. Both Pitties.Love.Peace and Hope's Haven will have booths at the event selling their merchandise.

Creasy, who also works as a full-time nurse, and Williams opened their business in November of 2020. They sell revived furniture, florals and home decor. The store's name pays tribute to the family patriarch, Darl Williams, who is known for his fresh-pressed apple cider from his antique cider press.

"We've been wanting to be more involved in the community since we opened, and we wanted to create an event that's family-friendly," Creasy said, of the inspiration for E-Town Evolution. "I wanted to do something to support small businesses, especially after this past year. I wanted to bring the community together to see what these places do and to emphasize how important it is to support small businesses."

She's already planning a spring event and said this event will offer something for everyone.

"There's free parking and free admission," she said. "Come out, bring your chairs and blankets and hang out, shop, eat some food and listen to some great music."

For more information, visit http://www.ciderpressmarket.com and click on "Workshops and Events."