It's market mania, baby, and you're invited.
Starting bright and early this Saturday, Nov. 18 and ending later that day or in some cases extending all the way to Sunday, Penticton and vicinity is besieged with more craft-style markets than at any other point in the year.
The Christmas-centric action kicks off Saturday morning at 10 am on multiple fronts. We'll start in Kaleden with the "Kaleden Progressive Winter Market" because it's one of the most unique markets in the entire Okanagan valley.
The Kaleden Progressive Winter Market debuted in 2020 as the pandemic continued to screw with everyone's lives. A Christmas/crafts market in the scenic lakeside berg of Kaleden where vendors set up shop in driveways and parking lots throughout the village, where shoppers drove or walked from place to place, and where the potential for illegal crowd-gathering was nullified.
Thinking back, it was just about the only market in the region given the go-ahead.
The concept proved so successful that the event continued even after the COVID threat had dissipated. Indeed, the number of vendors flourished, jumping from 20 in 2020 and 40 in 2021 to 50 in 2022.
And the post-pandemic version included cool new stuff that couldn't be done in prior years. Stuff like hot lunches and indoor vendors.
For 2023, the KPWM expands its range even further. There'll be a by-donation pancake breakfast at 8 am at the Kaleden Firehall, with volunteer firefighters doing the flipping and all proceeds going to FireSmart BC. And all four area wineries -- Lakeboat, Black Market, Farm Gate and Kraze Legs -- will open for the event and remain open 'til 4, a couple hours past the 2 pm official market close.
On the vendor front, there'll be 50 in all spread between 15 locations throughout the community, all opening at 10 am.
That number includes a wide selection of returning favourites like the always-popular "Wine Barrel Art by Al" and "Ohori Handcrafted," tucked in with several other vendors inside the Kaleden Community Church.
But there are numerous newbies too. Newbies like Raven's Fir Preserved Food from Pender Island and Fig & Lily from Penticton (a dealer of vintage items with a storefront on Main Street).
"It floods the streets of Kaleden with people," said market founder and Kaleden resident Eryn Wiedner. "And this year, you can hit up breakfast at 8, start looking at vendors at 10, take a break at noon for chili (at the church), then go back to the vendors and end at the wineries."
For more info and to download a printable street/vendor map (also available during the event at the Kaleden Community Hall and Kaleden Community Church), go here.
In mid-2022, Yvonne King, owner of fabric retailer Black Rabbit Fabrics in the Cannery Trade Centre, figured the Salvation Army Food Bank needed some help. Simultaneously, she wanted to create a little excitement down at her store's home base, the venerable/retro Cannery Trade Centre.
So she conceived and organized, with the assistance of hubby Laith, the very first "Christmas Craft Fair at the Cannery Trade Centre." She'd bring in craft-y vendors from all across the region and for a small fee destined for the Food Bank, set them up inside the mall. She'd charge guests a small donation to get in the door too ($2 was suggested, plus an optional non-perishable or canned food item).
It was a smash hit. The joint was packed, business was good for the Cannery shops and the vendors, and in the end the Food Bank walked away with $2,250 and a whole lotta groceries.
So why not do it again? And that's exactly what's happening this weekend.
"We're at 45 vendors," said King. "They’re being charged $50 for the two days and the building has decided once again to donate all of it to the Food Bank.
"Santa has volunteered to visit us between 10 am and 2 pm both days at Donut House Studios. Tin Whistle (Brewing) will be open. Speckled Row (pottery studio) will be open and we're real fortunate that our new coffee shop (One14 Coffee Co.) is now open as well."
The Cannery Trade Centre Winter Crafters' Market goes this Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 am to 4 pm and again Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. Bring at least a couple bucks and a food donation to get in on the fun.
For more info, go to the Cannery Trade Centre Facebook page and scroll around.
PentictonNow is no stranger to the Art Walk program. We've attended a bunch of them, following the crowds as they head from one art-friendly location to another, some of those locations with niceties like snacks, refreshments and even live music.
Granted, the fall version isn’t quite as big as its spring counterpart, now run in conjunction with the Ignite the Arts Festival, but there are some shops/galleries in particular where you'll generally find a good time, a good spread and a good crowd no matter which Art Walk you attend.
If you’re heading out for the 2023 version this Saturday, don’t miss the Cannery Trade Centre, where a trio of artsy businesses (Speckled Row, 4th Meridian Art, Donut House Studios) await, all of which usually have a few treats hanging around too.
Other good bets include Legacy Den at 441 Main St., where you can chat with exhibiting artists and partake in refreshments, the Aurora Matheson Gallery at 221 Martin St. where you'll find live artists, live music and "sweet cider," Art Up Studios at 94 Ellis St. where guests get a chance to "throw" pottery and quaff refreshments, and the Penticton Art Gallery, which will open a new exhibit that day from 4 pm to 6 pm and host a "wrap party" afterward.
But there are many more addresses than the sampling above. For more info on all of them and a printable map, head to the Art Walk page at the Penticton Arts Council website.
Certainly one of the longest running markets of the season, the Christmas Fair at the Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre is a well-rounded affair with something for everyone – including those with a hankering for baked goods.
There'll be 38 vendor tables in all over two big rooms. We're told virtually every vendor will be a "local crafter" of some description.
But arguably the biggest draw of all may be the food. Simply put, there's a lot of it. And from what we hear, it's all yummy.
For the hungry mid-day crowd, there'll be lunch-y stuff like chili, pumpkin soup and sandwiches. And for anyone with a sweet tooth, the bake sale has long been one of the specialties of the Christmas Fair.
This is the only event in this wrap-up that PentictonNow has not yet covered in person. We intend to change that this weekend.
The Christmas Fair at the Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre runs Nov 18 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Drop-In Centre at 2965 Main St.
As if all of the above wasn't enough, Penticton's biggest hotel gets in on the action too with the latest edition of its long-running Yuletide at the Lakeside Christmas Market.
The event, which costs $2 to attend and runs both Saturday and Sunday, features a bevy of local artisans and vendors selling a wide range of goodies that would look great under any tree.
And a bunch of baked goods too.
But it also has plenty to keep the kids busy. Stuff like cookie decorating and a craft corner. And on Saturday only, pony rides! Santa will also be on site, from 11 to 3 both days, to pose for pics with whoever wants to climb on his lap (within reason of course!).
