Let the shopping begin! 11 things you need to know about Christmas Jubilee

For many shoppers, the holiday season officially begins each year with the always-festive Junior League of Mobile Christmas Jubilee, which will be held Thursday through Saturday (Nov. 13-15) at The Grounds (formerly Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds).

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event, which is JLM's primary fundraiser. The organization has raised $4.8 million over the years through Christmas Jubilee, according to organizers. The event's colors are pink and pearl, in honor of three decades, and were chosen by Christy Bishop, the Christmas Jubilee Committee chair.

In addition to the market itself, each day offers some type of special event. "We try to pack as much fun and holiday shopping as possible into a four-day period," said Jenny Humphreys, committee chair-elect.

Here's some information to help you make the most of your shopping experience. Helpful hint: Wear comfortable shoes! You're going to do a lot of walking out there.

1. Wednesday (Nov. 12) is the last day to buy admission tickets at the reduced price of $8. Advance tickets are available only at the JLM headquarters, 57 N. Sage Ave. (between Old Shell Road and Dauphin Street), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Tickets are also available at the door for $10. Children five and under are admitted free; six to 12, $3. Tickets for members of the military and college students are $6. Parking costs $3.
3. Christmas Jubilee kicks off Wednesday (Nov. 12) with a Preview Gala from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include a sneak peek at the market, food by Georgia Roussos Catering, an open bar, live music by 4 Barrel Funk and a silent auction.
4. The market hours are Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
5. Thursday's special event is VIP Shopping, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $30 and include stroller-free, crowd-free shopping, morning cocktails and breakfast. As an added bonus, some merchants will offer 10 percent off.
6. Friday's special event, Girls' Night Out, a fashion show and pop-up market from 6 to 8 p.m., has sold out.
7. Saturday's special event is the ever-popular Breakfast with Santa. The 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. slots are sold out, but there's still room for Lunch with Santa at 1 p.m. For $15, your children can eat Chic-fil-A, decorate Pollman's cookies, listen to a story from "Miss Val" Thompson and have their photo taken with Santa himself.
8. Shopping can make you hungry, and this year for the first time the food court will feature cuisine from three local food trucks: Mama's on Dauphin, Pita Pit and Stevie's Kitchen. For dessert, Cream and Sugar will be selling their signature cake balls and other sweet treats.
9. Be sure to check out the Authors' Corner, which is sponsored for the first time by Page and Palette bookstore of Fairhope. Among the authors are the Lagasse Girls (Emeril Lagasse's daughters), who have a new, gluten-free cookbook; Nick Vujicic, an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker who is missing all four limbs due to a rare disorder; and local favorites J.D. Crowe and Carolyn Haines.
10. Throughout the day Thursday through Saturday, entertainment will be provided by local dance studios and choirs.
11. Organizers expect 15,000 people to attend and shop at displays from approximately 120 merchants. The aisles can get crowded, which makes the VIP Shopping experience even more appealing.

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