The Golden Christmas Market is back, after taking a year off due to COVID-19.
The market is slated to be held at the Rec Plex on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with admissions by donation. All proceeds will go to the food bank.
Rotary will also be hosting a 50/50 draw, with 25 per cent of proceeds going to the food bank as well.
Rotary will also be hosting photos with Santa at the market, with those interested instructed to bring their own camera. There will be a reservation system to prevent people from waiting and to keep people moving, in order to help mitigate COVID risks.
There will be approximately 47 vendors at the market, with the market saying that the majority will be food vendors, with some artisans.
“There will be lots of Christmas baking, which is nice for families to get together and enjoy right before the holidays,” said Melissa Kardash, one of the organizers behind the Farmer’s Market and the Christmas Market.
The typical bread vendor will be present, as well as veggies from Patti’s greenhouse, and an assortment of the other vendors that are typical of the Farmer’s Market.
Because the market is deemed an essential service, proof of vaccination will not be required; however, masks are still required per the provincial health order.
The market is also encouraging people to wash their hands and take proper precautions, such as social distancing, to help prevent the spread.
Market employees will be cleaning high-touch surfaces every few hours as well.
Kardash says the return of the market has been well received by both patrons and vendors after a two-year absence.
“Vendors are certainly glad to be back, we have almost a full market this year,” she said.
She says the market is a great time to come together and enjoy some holiday cheer.
“I think it’s just a great time for people to get back together with the community and feel like they’re part of something,” said Kardash.
“It’s really about community and supporting each other and bringing out that Christmas cheer that maybe we didn’t have last year, see those neighbours and faces you haven’t seen in a long time.”
A full list of vendors can be found on the Farmer’s Market Facebook page and on Instagram.
