For more than 20 years, the Crossfield Christmas Market has been going strong, and this year's edition promises to be bigger and better than ever. "The Christmas market has increased to over 100 vendors, and we have bigger goals for future years," said Cheryl Shea, Crossfield Farmers Market manager. "It's a one-stop shopping experience that can check off most of your holiday gifts and supplies." The event is an Alberta Approved market and adheres to the 80/20 rule, with 80 per cent of its vendors being makers, bakers and creators. "Only 20 per cent of the vendors can be commercial products, making this market truly artisan," Shea said. "We also have craft breweries, mead and wine." The event will have bakers, photographers and woodworkers selling items including hand-blown glass, fresh winter greenery, jewellery, preserves, produce, seasonings, beef, sausages, perogies, soups and much more. "The variety of vendors is truly amazing," Shea said. "I get to preview the vendors during the application process, and I have made my lists and have sent my pre-orders to them. These folks always blow me away with their incredible passion and skill they have in making things by their own hands. It's an honour that they are coming to Crossfield for our Christmas market." The event will also include several food trucks for attendees to indulge in. Confirmed trucks include Damit Amit, Viet 2 Go, Rocky Roadz Mini Donuts and, possibly, Stampede Kettle Korn and Tetianna European Food Truck if the weather co-operates. After a successful first year of allowing craft brewers to sell and sample products at Alberta Farmers’ Markets Association-approved venues, the Christmas market will welcome Fitzsimmons Brewery, Olds College Brewery, Bench Creek Brewery, Tamarack Jack Mead and Fieldstone Fruit Wines. "They are always popular, as well as vendors in our summer market," Shea said. Another popular carryover from the summer market is the Man Van, which will be once again be onsite with its "Get Checked" van. Run by the Prostate Cancer Centre since 2009, the program raises awareness for early detection of prostate cancer. The free, five-minute process only requires a teaspoon of blood from participants, which is tested for a protein called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Results are then mailed to patients. In addition to offering plenty of shopping opportunities and a quick health check-up, the market is also collecting donations for the Airdrie Food Bank. "We find people love to give, and when we publish food bank donations accepted, they are very giving," Shea said, adding the "fantastic resource" serves Crossfield as well as Airdrie. The market is free to attend and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 3 at the Crossfield Community Centre. For more information, visit the Crossfield Farmers Market Facebook page.
