Thousands Flock to Celebrate with America's Finest at Goodfellow AFB's Santa's Market

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, TX -- The annual Santa's Market at Goodfellow Air Force Base Saturday drew thousands to view and purchase Christmas items from vendors and to welcome Santa to town before Thanksgiving. 

Santa’s Market features over 100 vendors from the local community and base private organizations selling hand-made crafts and gifts.

Admission was free and open to the public. There were kid’s crafts and activities throughout the day.

Here's a video from inside Santa's Market: 

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It wasn't easy to get on to the base as cars lined up for hours to go through security screening.  

The weather was great as enthusiastic patrons waited for almost an hour to enter the base and go through security screenings on vehicles to be ushered to secure parking.  

Residents were then driven by secure vehicles from the parking lots to the fire training facility. 

At the training facility, civilians were again screened by armed military personnel. 

Bags were checked and everyone was wanded before they were allowed to enter the building.  

Once they were past security, civilians were delighted by huge funnel cakes, fried twinkies and arts and crafts from hundreds of visitors. 

It really was a fun and festive atmosphere.  

The weather couldn't have been better and the mood was cheerful at the Santa's Market. 

The event is a one of a kind opportunity for civilians to go onto the military base and celebrate with soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines stationed at Goodfellow.