Put your shopping hats on for the Last Minute Christmas Market this weekend.
Hosted by the team responsible for the annual summer Farmers’ Market, the last minute Christmas shop is bringing 70 familiar and new vendors to Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC) with “make, bake and grow” items available for the fifth annual event.
“Six years ago, the big question from our vendors was ‘why weren’t we hosting a Christmas market?’ Most farmers’ markets in the area were offering a Christmas market and we were not,” explained Valerie McCracken, event organizer.
“Our first Christmas market was a success and we’ve continued to build the event every year since that time … (the) market offers customers an opportunity to support their favourite vendors in the winter months so it’s a win-win for supporting local producers and makers. It also allows us the opportunity to showcase vendors that only participate in Christmas markets, vendors that we wouldn’t see in Cochrane if we didn’t host a Christmas event.”
Organizers encourage residents and guests to check out the holiday shop because every vendor offers their own unique homemade crafts, food products or farm products. Organizers have noticed new vendors that have taken the opportunity to explore their creativity in response to the downturn in the economy.
“We have a new vendor for this market that indicated that she started her business with the money she received as a severance package – I don’t think this is a unique story, many Albertans are reinventing themselves and markets are one of the affordable ways that allow them to start a business,” McCracken explained.
“You won’t find most of these items in any store at the mall so it’s a treasure hunt in many ways, you’re never sure what wonderful discovery you will make.”
While the market showcases more artisan crafts, organizers are also excited to offer vendors selling food items including holiday baking, artisan specialties, cottage wines and even turkeys.
“We also encourage our customers to talk to the vendors. The producers and makers are always pleased to answer questions about what they are selling. Building relationships with the folks that produce the item is what makes the market experience so completely different from buying something off a shelf,” McCracken said.
The family friendly event will also feature photos with Santa, a free skate with Santa and the Bouncer Zone will be open throughout the afternoon. For admission organizers ask customers to make a food or cash donation for the Cochrane Activettes to go to the Food Bank.
The Last Minute Christmas market will be on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor at the SLSFSC, located at 800 Griffin Rd.
For more go to cochrane-environment.org
