The holiday market season officially began this weekend in Penticton, with the Artisan’s Showcase Yuletide Market hosting a splendour of vendors. Officially opening doors on Friday night, the market had already seen over 3000 people come through. “It feels like we’re back to pre-COVID days. 160 vendors here today, and everyone is in such a festive mood,” Frances Callaghan, the main organizer for the holiday market said. All of the rooms inside the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre were filled with works by artists and artisans, décor, jewelry, local food and beverage gifts, body care products, textiles and clothing and much more. “Basically, we wanted to make sure most of the vendors here make it themselves. In the past, this show has had some resellers. So we have honoured that for those who have been longtime vendors, we just ensured that the quality matched up to the artisans.” The importance of keeping the vendors as local as possible is to also keep the spending in the community. “Everything’s a little was a little tighter with everything, inflation and that. So we just offered another opportunity to bring your dollars back into your community and keep them in your community. So every small business can thrive,” Callaghan said. The show is currently in its 18th year running and has always opened up the market season at the start of November. “It seems to be the one that opens the door for all other markets going into the holiday season. So this is the start, and once this one goes, they all start opening up.” Partial proceeds from the admission fee will benefit the local food bank, and shoppers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or an unwrapped toy. “There are people this year who are going to be in need and we want to help out as much as we can.” The market runs from Saturday until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the event website here.
