WORCESTER, Mass. - A holiday tradition in Worcester filled Union Station with handmade goods and crafts on Sunday for the annual ‘stART at the Station’ event.

Now in its 17th year, more than 100 vendors were set up with holiday decorations, stained glass, paintings and other art.

Co-founders Tina Zlody and Stacy Lord said it’s always an important event for small businesses in the area as people begin their holiday shopping.

“Any time you’re supporting a small business with local artists and area artists, it’s really important to the local economy,” Zlody said. “We don’t need to spend money at Amazon, you need to spend money here, and that way you’re keeping the local economy going and that’s the most important thing.”

“It’s a beautiful space, Union Station is absolutely gorgeous,” Lord said. “We’ve always liked holding our holiday event here because of the atmosphere.”

Earlier this year, organizers held the 20th and final ‘stART on the Street’ festival on Park Avenue after having trouble with recruiting volunteers and the cost of hosting the event.

While the future of ‘stART at the Station’ remains up in the air, Zlody told Spectrum News 1 in August she plans to offer consulting services in event planning and management while continuing her directorship at the Worcester Public Market’s Market Pantry Store. Lord and co-director Laura Marotta are opening the "Creative Hub Worcester Community Arts Center" at 2 Ionic Avenue, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in October.