The Cochrane Farmers’ Market will host their highly anticipated 11th annual Christmas Market at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, Dec. 10 and 11, offering yet another opportunity for local shoppers to source some homemade Christmas gifts.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., shoppers can enter the market, which will occupy two floors of SLSFSC, for free. It is an Alberta-approved farmers market that is sponsored by the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee.
Although there is no formal entry fee, the Cochrane Farmers' Market will be accepting donations for the Cochrane Food Bank in lieu.
With many vendors from the Cochrane Farmers’ Market’s summer markets in attendance, manager Valerie McCracken said the event will also include additional seasonal vendors, bringing the total number of vendors to check out to around 130.
“We call it one-stop shopping for all your ingredients for you holiday entertaining, gifts stocking stuffers, treats, and you’ll find something for pretty much everyone,” McCracken said.
Meats, baked goods, beverages, artisanal goods, and more will be available at the seasonal market.
“And the one thing about our market is everything there, the people selling it, they themselves make, bake, or grow it,” McCracken said. “So, there’s no commercials products, no franchises, none of that.”
As this is the biggest market that they host in the year, it is the Cochrane Farmers’ Market largest offering of vendors in one space.
“We do tend to bring in vendors that you do not see in summer,” McCracken said. “We have vendors that are Christmas-only, or seasonal vendors, so it brings that Christmas sparkle and more options for our shoppers.”
As a staple of holiday season shopping in the Cochrane community, McCracken said many shoppers always look forward to the Christmas market every year. She noted last year’s market brought between 4,000 and 5,000 shoppers to the multi-sport facility.
“So, we expect this year it’ll be that, if not more,” she said.
“We really appreciate the community support for our farmers market.”
As the Cochrane Farmers’ Market approaches its 25th anniversary in the coming year, McCracken said support from the community is higher than ever and the market looks forward to seeing holiday shoppers at this weekend's Christmas market.
To see the full vendors gallery that will be present in the Cochrane Chirstmas Farmers' Market, please visit cochranefarmersmarket.ca.
