Natasha Vaughn is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Basilica Hudson has announced its annual Farm and Flea Holiday Market will be virtual this year. The market has been an annual event for the past eight years. Due to COVID-19 concerns, holding the traditional in-person event was not possible. So, the market will include more than 70 Hudson Valley-based businesses selling goods and services online. “This pandemic is hitting hard on our cultural and social livelihoods, so sticking together locally and putting our creative minds together is how we will get through this challenging time,” Melissa Auf der Maur, Basilica Hudson co-founder and director, said in a statement. Shoppers can choose items from local and regional vendors offering handmade items, crafts, unique food options and more. The vendors include a variety of farmers, artisans, local chefs, vintage collectors and more. Basilica Farm and Flea was awarded a $5,000 grant by the Hudson Tourism Board. Those funds were used to create the website that links seller sites and to support educational workshops and promotion of local businesses. Basilica Farm and Flea holds two markets each year, in the spring on Mother’s Day weekend and the holiday market after Thanksgiving. The virtual market can be found at BasilicaHudson [dot] org. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.