The Crossfield Community Centre and W.G. Murdoch School will be wall to wall with people Nov. 2, during the annual Crossfield Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be more than 200 vendors selling their homemade wares this year, according to Crossfield Farmer’s Market manager Cheryl Shea, including artisans, bakers and craftspeople from as far away as Red Deer, Drumheller and Lethbridge.
“You’re going to see some exquisite pieces, and these are people who either do it as a hobby or a full-time business,” she said. “Christmas markets are probably the biggest events of the year for them.”
Products available for purchase will range from baked goods, to craft beer and handcrafted artwork.
“We’re an Alberta-approved farmers’ market, which means we follow the ‘make it, bake it, grow it’ model, and that’s all year long,” Shea said.
“This is an event that draws people from all over the place – it’s kind of like a miniature Millarville north.”
New to the Christmas market, according to Shea, will be collaboration with W.G. Murdoch School. She added the school’s gymnasium and cafeteria will act as a secondary location.
“The school is very actively involved and they’ve been a great partner on this,” Shea said, adding W.G. Murdoch is raising funds for a new playground.
Adding to the partnership, Shea said, three classes from the school will participate in the market – students from a foods class, a construction class and an arts class will be selling their goods out of the cafeteria, with proceeds going towards funding for the playground.
Furthermore, to go with the seasonal theme, Shea said photo opportunities with Santa Claus and a live reindeer will be possible from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with W.G. Murdoch’s photography students will be taking the pictures.
As a way to let attendees know the market is being held at two locations this year, Shea said, volunteers will be on-hand at the community centre and the school to hand out visitor cards for attendees to get stamped at each venue.
According to Shea, there are also two gift baskets that will be drawn for, and the only way to enter the draw will be by visiting each location.
Crossfield Farmer’s Market also puts on a yearly spring market and summer market. Shea said, this year, she also plans to start hosting a bi-monthly indoor market from November to May.
