By Anthony Dransfeld
Baynes Lake is usually a laid back place. That all changes on Saturday mornings during the summer (June 15 through Labour Day weekend) when the Baynes Lake Market springs up at the Lions Hall and Fire Hall Field.
Vendors start trickling in about 7 a.m. for the market, which opens at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m, with most of the booths sold out of their wares by then. The best way to describe the Baynes Lake Market would be the word ‘eclectic.’ Organic beef, home made bread from Fernie (Loaf,) stained glass, superb art works, and the very popular fruit and vegetable stand brought in by Centex Market of Kimberley.
Baynes Lake Market goers are a diverse group of folk from the Kootenays, Koocanusa Lake, Surveyors Campground, and all the other campgrounds scattered about this beautiful neck of the woods, called the South Country. Baynes Lake residents come out too, as well as Cranbrookians, and Wasa Lake residents who drive down to check out the venue. All told there are probably 40 tents set up in the Oasis. The Baynes Lake Lions Club puts on a real nice breakfast at 9 a.m.
Dave McIntyre the President of the Lions told me he served up 400 breakfasts on opening day. The breakfast includes home made pancakes, farm eggs, and farmers’ sausage for $5. The market has neat stuff and the prices are very fair. Check it out some time. It is 10 minutes from Jaffray , seven minutes from Koocanusa Lake, and 30 minutes from Fernie.