EAST CHAIN – With the upcoming Holiday Vendor and Craft Market and many winter events and activities coming up, the East Chain Activity Center continues to serve the community.

The East Chain Activity Center, formerly the East Chain Elementary School building, was brought back to life by three farmers, Bob Calkins, Dale Jensen and Russell Jensen, who didn’t want to see their former school building fall apart. Now, the East Chain Activity Center is used for a variety of community events, including youth groups, open gyms and even weddings.

The idea to host a vendor market came when Cyndi Jensen, Dale’s wife who is active in the operations of the building, was approached by one of her friends, asking if she had ever considered hosting such an event at the activity center.

Not knowing how many vendors would be interested in participating, Jensen put up a post on Facebook. Soon, 20 vendors and crafters had signed up.

The vendors will range from woodcrafting to candles to homemade crochet mittens and hats.

“It’s a really neat variety,” said Jensen.

One of the gyms will also be open for those who may not have an interest in shopping.

“We’re hoping that if people do bring their kids they can go play in the gym so moms can shop,” said Jensen.

Concession and coffee will be available at the event, as a commercial brewer was recently donated to the activity center.

The Holiday Vendor and Craft Market isn’t the only event that community members can look forward to this winter. According to Jensen, the activity center will be starting a Pilates class in January on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More information will be provided at the vendor market, along with a sign-up sheet. Jensen said that they are also trying to start Walking Wednesdays, where people can use the gym in the activity center to walk in on Wednesday mornings.

The Holiday Vendor and Craft Market is on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with door prizes given out every hour. The East Chain Activity Center is located at 395 280th Avenue in East Chain.