The Whistlestop Christmas Craft Sale is one of Moose Jaw’s largest craft shows, a two-day event at the Exhibition Centre on Thatcher Drive on Friday, Oct. 21 from 2 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry is $5 for 12 and older, and free for those under 12.
The event was started in 1995 by Shelley Bader, who died last year in May. Shelley loved craft shows and travelled to as many as she could, often inviting vendors she liked to come to Moose Jaw for Whistlestop. She had a hand in other craft shows as well and kept very busy with her passion.
Shelley’s son Matthew and his wife Kimber run the craft show now, which makes Whistlestop a generational family tradition.
“I started helping out at the show in 2008, and Matthew grew up helping out with Whistlestop and going to craft sales with his mom,” Kimber Bader told MooseJawToday.com. “We love it, and we’re happy to keep doing it.”
The name comes from the event’s first location at the old CPR train station. A “whistle stop” is a small town where the train wasn’t regularly scheduled, only stopping when signaled or whistled.
Whistlestop focusses on handmade, home-crafted goods. Most of the craftspeople at the show are from Saskatchewan, with some coming from Alberta and Manitoba to participate.
“Shelley really loved the handmade goods,” Bader said. “So, we’ve kept that focus, and we try to have a good representation of all the crafts that are out there, from knitted things to personalized wood carvings, tons of Christmas ornaments, we have some sweets and baked goods. There are so many amazing vendors, and lots of them come back every year.”
The event took a brief break during the pandemic, but Bader said that last year’s sale was one of their biggest ever despite having to accommodate public health restrictions. She said that showed them how important a tradition Whistlestop has become in Moose Jaw — it’s part of how many people begin the Christmas season.
Decorated Christmas trees will be scattered through the building, with popular Christmas items such as advent calendars, personalized ornaments, wreaths, snowpeople, Nativity scenes, lights, and (a lot) more all adding to the holiday theme.
“We’re really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a busy weekend,” Bader said. “There’s a lot of local talent at the show this year, too, which is great.”
Follow along on Facebook at facebook.com/whistlestopcraftsale to see posts and photos from featured vendors.
