UNG Alumni Association
Women of UNG will host its fourth annual pop up market on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the University of North Georgia’s Dining Hall Veranda in Dahlonega. Guests can browse the tables of nearly 50 vendors selling crochet creations, handmade jewelry, custom wood crafts, pastries and more.
According to Mary Owens, a UNG alumni relations officer and member of WUNG, the pop up market was designed to empower women within the university community and encourage fellowship. While the event is geared toward women, Owens says everyone is welcome.
“This is really just a service that this women’s organization is providing to all students, male and female, but mostly female [students] are going to come to this,” she says. “You can look at the list of vendors and see that this is very…feminine-driven.”
Owens adds that the market is all about “giving women a chance to engage with other women,” an effort that closely aligns with WUNG’s mission to “promote the role of women as confident leaders and active participants in UNG.”
The volunteer organization is a shared interest group under the university’s alumni association, she explains. Since its founding in 2015, it has gained roughly 200 members.
“A shared special interest group is exactly what it sounds like,” says Owens. “Everybody has a shared interest – they want to help promote the cause of women at [UNG].”
This year, a WUNG committee selected 49 female vendors from about 80 applicants, including alumni, students, faculty, staff and community supporters, to take part in Thursday’s market. Student vendors paid $10 to participate, while non-student vendors paid $25. According to Owens, approximately 50% of vendors this year are students.
“It’s just so much great energy,” says Owens. “It’s a lot of fun.”
In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the Dining Hall Banquet Room.