“Fantastic,” is how Todd Johnson, general manager for the Wakamow Valley Authority, described the response from vendors, the curious and customers alike to the initial Wakamow Farmer’s Market.
Held from 9 am to 1 p.m. on May 29th, the Wakamow Farmer's Market had 45 vendors offering everything from a local distillery (Smooth 42 Craft Distillery of Brownlee) to plants, locally grown potatoes, honey, bird houses, funky tie dyed t-shirts and even a grandmother in her 90s selling her highly popular hand-crocheted slippers and dish cloths.
“I think lots of people are really happy to get outside and walk around,” Johnson said about the hundreds of people who came out to Kiwanis Park (the Skating Oval) to see what the vendors had to offer. “There was a lot of smiling faces.”
While interviewing Johnson, a market attendee said while leaving the market “it was great to be able to get outdoors again” before entering a car and driving away.
He said the vendors he had spoken to were pleased with the market.
“Everyone I chatted with have been happy.”
As for the 45 vendors, Johnson said he was happy with the large turnout. As the initial market was attempting to attract 30 vendors, they managed to attract 50 percent more than their initial target.
“A lot of people (vendors) are saying they will be back as well,” Johnson said. “This is the perfect thing as not everyone (vendors) has been able to get their name out there for quite some time and the market allows them to [do that again.]”
Although the market was originally slated to open at 8 a.m., he said they had decided to move the opening to 9 a.m. in order to allow out of town vendors the opportunity to set up their stalls. Stalls which were allowed, if necessary, could be larger given the space allowed in the outdoor setting.
“Shortly after 9 a.m. there was a lot of people that showed up who were happy to come to the market and have the opportunity to get outside.”
Key to the market’s success were the volunteers.
“We could not do events without our volunteers….many people have volunteered on a Saturday morning to help park cars and set up tables,” he said.
Other than operating as a much-needed fundraiser, Johnson said the outdoor setting allows people the additional opportunity to go out and enjoy the park itself.
At the time of the interview he said he could not say how many had taken the opportunity to explore other areas of the park because he had been too busy at the market itself.
He encouraged people to come back next Saturday morning and “go for a little bit of a walk and enjoy the Park” as part of attending the market.
For more information, please call (306) 692-2717 or email wakamow.events@sasktel.net.
https://www.mjindependent.com/lifestyles/2021/5/29/ztrw04dftvf842y8btjm28ar3jt6tr
