More than 3,000 people crammed into the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre Saturday for Day Two of the three-day Yuletide @ the PTCC pre-Christmas artisan market.
The market, and its immediate predecessor, the Laurel Burnham-run Okanagan Makers' Christmas Craft Fair, has been a pre-Christmas Penticton-area tradition for two and a half decades. And even with the tough economy, this year's iteration attracted the most vendors ever: 170.
But given the current economic climate, were customers spending like they normally do? We talked with market boss Frances Callaghan and several vendors and came to the conclusion that the crowds were big and upbeat but a bit more thrifty than usual.
Not unexpected given the inflation of recent years. Checked out the price of groceries lately?
Our first stop was at the Kelowna-based "Umami Crave the 5th," where co-owner Stephanie Gaudette was too busy with customers to chat the first time by.
Which of course is a good thing.
"Our products are meal solutions," she said. "We started as a salad company but now we have three sauces, three just-add-veggies bagged meals and now the only Canadian-made gluten-free, vegan Worcestershire sauce.
Gaudette and her biz have been part of the Penticton market for several years. And there's a reason for it.
"It brings a lot of people out," she said. "It starts the Christmas season. And it’s the start of our busy season. From now 'til the 17th of December, you'll find us somewhere."
For Electra Logan (yes, that's her real name adn it's awesome) and her South East Kelowna business Meadow Vista Honey Wines, Yuletide at the PTCC has also become an annual stop.
"My sister and I are owners," she said, "and our mead maker came on board two summers ago, so the three of us are partners and we make wine with honey."
It was our first-ever chance to sample wine made with honey. So we did.
One word. Yum.
"I love the way this market brings people together from all walks of life," said Logan. "I like it because it’s not stuffy. It's a casual market that everyone can enjoy.
"But we do notice spending is down from last year. We've noticed the same thing at other markets too."
Roch Fortin of Summerland's Maple Roch Pure Canadian Maple Store, another Yuletide at the PTCC regular, said he was surprised at the tremendous size of Saturday's crowd given the current cost of living.
"I've noticed this year that the gift of food is even more important," he said. "People are struggling some. We're trying to do the best we can.
"But people were doing larger purchases in the past. Now they're a bit more cautious. They're trying to find the right thing for the right people."
For Frances Callaghan, the good news – the most vendors ever and a healthy stream of shoppers, all of whom paid $3 for the day or $5 for the weekend -- outweighed the mediocre.
"It’s amazing," she said. "The attendance this year is outstanding. We've been lined up all day. It's better than last year."
You still have time to get in on the action. Day three of Yuletide at the PTCC begins at 10 AM Sunday and ends at 3. And if you miss that, Callaghan and many of this weekend's vendors will be back Dec. 9th and 10th for the "Last Chance Gift and Artisan Market."
In fact, this year's Last Chance Market will feature something extra special – a gingerbread house competition, with prizes. Registration must be submitted before Nov. 15 and the gingerbread house must be concocted and baked before the market begins.
For more on all of that, head here.
