Organizers Launch First-Ever “Market of the 712”
By JILL SCHABEN
For the Harrison County Times-Reporter
A whimsical, tea party-themed outdoor market will make its debut this spring at the Four County Fairgrounds in Dunlap, bringing dozens of vendors, food trucks and visitors from across the region to town.
“Market of the 712” is scheduled for April 18, 2026, from noon to 7 p.m. at the 4-County Fairgrounds in Dunlap. The family-friendly event is being organized by a local planning committee led by Kara Marlowe, who said the idea was sparked after attending a vendor fair last fall.
“I attended a vendor fair last fall and was inspired by the feeling I left with,” Marlowe said. “The vibe, supporting small businesses and supporting small towns” are the things she said inspired her to establish this event.
Marlowe reached out to a group of friends to form a committee, which includes Megan Hanigan, Ashley Donscheski, Bridgit Jolkowski, Kali Smith and Kim Mueller. Together, the group has been coordinating vendor outreach, developing a site plan, organizing décor and photo opportunities, creating a Facebook page and marketing the event.
The tea party theme was selected by the committee, to create what Marlowe described as a sense of magic. The group hopes this event will become an annual affair and the theme will change each year.
With more than 42 vendors already committed, this event will offer a variety of items. Concrete décor, candles, permanent jewelry, custom woodwork and more will be for sale.
In addition to vendors, the event will feature music from a local DJ, and a variety of food trucks. Attendees can expect Indian cuisine, Mexican food, and barbecue, among other options.
A traveling bar, Roam and Revel by Ashley Donscheski, will offer cocktails, mocktails and dirty sodas. Meanwhile, Kelsey Miller of Common Grounds will have her new traveling coffee shop on site.
Admission is $10 for adults. Children 10 and under will be admitted free.
If inclement weather arises, the event will move indoors to the Four County Fair building.
Marlowe said she hopes the market will draw visitors not only to the fairgrounds but to other businesses throughout Dunlap.
“This event will benefit Dunlap just by bringing people from all over to our community,” she said. “They may come down and support all the small businesses for a couple hours and then if it is nice they may go do a round of golf or go fill their car up with gas or get supper from one of the local establishments.”
She said many vendors have expressed excitement about participating in the first-year event.
“Success to me would look like a large attendance of people that attend and have fun and enjoy themselves with the items our vendors have to offer,” Marlowe said.
For Marlowe, the event also carries personal meaning.
“Personally, growing up with parents who owned two small businesses in town, I love being around people and understand what it means to support local and small businesses,” she said. “This is just another way to showcase all the small businesses Dunlap and the surrounding areas have to offer.”
Vendors can sign up by visiting the Market of the 712 Facebook page and messaging one of the listed hosts to receive a registration form.
