Following a busy summer filled with bustling events at both the main location on Dilworth and Springfield as well as the St. Paul Street satellite market, the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market is gearing up to move indoors before the cold.
“This summer was amazing, we had such a great turn out from the vendors and one of the busiest market seasons in we’ve had in a long time, it’s been a successful year and we are quite happy,” said Market Coordinator, Frances Callaghan.
“The atmosphere was just unbelievable and a lot of the customers coming had said that they loved the array of products and vendors at the market,”
Despite the chilly weather, vendors are out in full force, eager to showcase their stunning fresh produce, handmade wares and homemade creations once more before either moving indoors with the market or taking the winter off.
2018 marked the first market season for local produce wranglers, Rebecca and Lenny Schack of Orchard Hill Farm, the couple will be taking the winter off but say they are “so thankful” for the support of the community.
“It’s been really cool just to be around people, we spend so much time farming by ourselves, so just seeing who comes out and supports everyone locally here has been really cool,” said Rebecca.
Brante Farrell of Westbank Harvest is one of the vendors who will be with the market year round and is looking forward to working closely with his fellow vendors this indoor season.
“Being indoors is really nice because you have weather stability, and you get to know your fellow vendors more — I’m looking forward to just having an opportunity through the winter to share our products with Kelowna.”
The indoor market will boast many of the same vendors you’ve grown accustomed to seeing at the outdoor market, as well as a few new ones, as the indoor market will expand to utilize the venue’s patio space.
In addition to the expansion, the indoor market will also boast a number of food-themed festivals like the ones that grew quite popular over the spring and summer season, along with becoming a drop location for holiday donations to the Central Okanagan Food Bank and KelownaSantas.
The first indoor market will take place at the Parkinson Recreation Centre on Saturday, November 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with their International Food Festival set to take place the following weekend.
For those of you looking to get your fresh produce fix, and some fresh air, outdoor market will carry on until 1 p.m. this afternoon.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
