Downtown Felton Frolic

By Christina Wise

The downtown Felton area has taken a decidedly decorative turn in recent years. The southern stretch of Highway 9 (from the Graham Hill intersection) is dotted with darling shops that call to the eye of stylish dressers and the spirit of gift-givers.

From the crystals and gems at Mountain Spirit to the vintage and consignment items at Tomboy Outpost to the carefully curated collections at Simpatico, shoppers are drawn to the homespun charm of Felton anytime of year—but especially in November.

On Saturday, November 30th, Felton celebrates Small Business Saturday (a national movement to promote local shopping) by rolling out the red carpet with tons of special events and holiday spirit. The Downtown Felton Association is hopped up on the excitement of it all.

“The purpose of the Downtown Felton Association (DFA) is to bring together the community and help promote all of the amazing groups and associations in our town,” says DFA founder, Christy Shults. “Felton is really going to shine on Small Business Saturday. DFA and Felton businesses are sponsoring free bike taxis to deliver shoppers from their parking spots at Felton Bible Church to town. All of our stores will be open, with additional vendors at some stores. Shoppers can enjoy free gift wrapping and complimentary crafts on the redwood deck, sponsored by the DFA. We’ll also have raffle prizes at downtown businesses—get your tickets from the elves strolling the sidewalk and making mischief!”

In addition, the Santa Cruz Mountains Makers’ Market will be at the Felton Community Hall from 10am -4pm, and there’s a Train Expo at Felton Presbyterian Church. The Felton Business Association invites you to enjoy free cookies and cider on the redwood deck, while being entertained by caroling as Santa arrives on a fire truck and lights the downtown tree. Finally, visitors are invited to follow Santa back to the Felton Fire Department for pictures and the ever-important task of sharing that holiday wish list.

If it sounds like Shults is an evangelist for the town, well…she is. As the founder of the DFA, Shults is passionate about Felton, and her spirit shows. “The Downtown Felton Association’s mission is like that of a good old-fashioned barn raising. We want to bring together the residents and the commerce of the town.”

Shults has activated that connection by working with Selena Santos, owner of Skavenge Art, to bring back First Fridays Art Walk, featuring a consortium of shops in downtown Felton that host a trifecta of culture: art, wine and small bites. The Santa Cruz Mountains Pet Fest will be returning in 2020, and the DFA are also working on hosting events on the town’s redwood deck, so everyone in the community feels included. “This is my hometown,” Shults reflects, “and I have lived here all of my life. My kids go to the same school I went to. I have an abundance of love for everyone here, the ones who have been here forever and the ones who have moved here because they can feel the magic.”

Come feel the magic of Small Business Saturday in downtown Felton on Saturday, November 30th beginning at noon.