In preparation for a full scale Farmers Market in 2013, Sparwood will get a taste of what it's all about with this year's first ever, Sparwood Mini Market. Created by Amy Cardozo, the Sparwood Farmers Market is designed to not only provide locals with fresh food, handmade trinkets, treats and other items, it is also designed to foster social development and help bring the community together.
"I have attended various craft fairs and tradeshows with my own business, Crumbs Cakery Elk Valley since March and really enjoyed myself. I wanted to have somewhere else to sell my cupcakes. The Fernie Market doesn’t work with my work schedule and Baynes Lake is pretty full so I thought, why not start my own," says Cardozo. "I jumped right into it, created a logo and started a Facebook page to gauge interest and started looking for interested vendors. The interest was definitely there, so I then went on to secure a location. There is still much more to do as it is quite the process to start a farmer’s market. I have to get Council's approval, register as a Not for Profit Society, register with BC Association of Farmer’s Markets, get insurance, do some advertising and much more," she says.
The Mini Market will be held on September 6th, 2012 from 6-8:30 p.m. during the Community Information and Registration night at the Sparwood Recreation Department. At least a dozen tables will be participating, selling items as a little teaser of what’s in store for next year. Cardozo is still looking for interested vendors, especially those selling food and produce.
Next year, the full scale market is planned for a June 2013 start. "We are hoping to start the market on Friday evenings from 5-9 p.m. in the Green wood Mall parking lot. This day was a general consensus from individuals I spoke with both on Facebook and in person. This highly visible, public location will attract tourists passing by Sparwood as well as catch locals before they leave town for the weekend. This day was also chosen by vendors since the Fernie market is on Sundays and the Baynes Lake market is on Saturdays. This way, vendors can attend all markets in the surrounding area," she says.
Over fifty interested vendors have contacted Cardozo for the 2013 Market. There will be lots of individuals making handmade items such as dolls, signs, tutus, knitted, sewn and crocheted items, stained glass, children’s picnic tables, aprons, soaps, photography services and photos, henna tattoos, Indian tacos and bannock, canning, eggs and herbs. Also attending will be more established businesses such as Epicure, Grace Adele and local businesses such as Elk Valley Epic Party Planning, Loaf Bakery, Yama2Go and of course my own business, Crumbs Cakery Elk Valley and much more.
With much support and interest from locals, businesses and those from the surrounding area's the Sparwood Mini Market and Farmers Market is anticipated to be a huge success. Cardozo reminds those selling food that they will need to adhere to IHA (Interior Health Authority) standards. Those interested, including anyone interested in supplying live music or any other items can contact Cardozo for more information. She can be reached at sparwoodmarket@hotmail.com or at 250.910.0770.