By Carli BerryOBSERVER STAFF
The hot weather kept the vendors and customers happy during the 24th Annual Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival.
Jan Hillis made the trip from Vernon and was pleased with her purchase from Arwen’s Apparel.
“My daughter picked it out and said ‘Mom, this is a you dress,” she said as she showed off her brand-new black and white dress.
“I like to buy Canadian if I can. I wanted to wear it right now because it’s something new. It offers protection against the sun.”
All artisan vendor’s wares must be Canadian-made according to the festival website.
Having attended the festival in previous years, Hillis said she had not heard of the company beforehand.
Owner Arwen Williams said top sells were the one-of-a-kind Flashdance shirt that can be worn in 50 ways, and her airy Jennifer dress.
She was content with her sales on Friday and Saturday. Her company has been selling at Roots & Blues for the past five years and she enjoys listening to the music while working.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “I keep coming back because they keep asking me.”
A majority of her sales were from repeat customers.
Arwen’s Apparel is located in Kamloops, and features B.C.-made bamboo clothing.
On the other side of the festival, food vendors were also happy and thriving in the heat.
Christine Biderman, owner of the Lemonade Fresh Squeezed stand, has been coming to Roots & Blues for the last 12 to 15 years.
“You can’t compete with 35 C weather,” she said.
The atmosphere of the crowd seemed busier than last year, with sales being about the same for the stand.
In the merchandise tent, water bottles, T-shirts, CDs, and lawn chairs were hot items.
“Even in this day and age, CDs are really popular. Salmon Arm is unique because we’re the only record store in town once a year,” said merchandise staff Jane Barton.
This year, band merchandise and festival merchandise were combined in the same location, which has made it easier for customers, said merchandise supervisor Diyame Caterer.
Lawn chairs were sold out by Saturday, and water bottles were almost sold out.
This year, bundle blankets were new and more popular in the evenings, along with ear muffs for children, play products and ‘80s-themed bandanas.
The tent also carried C.S. Handicraft products that were hand-made in Nepal, with a portion of the profits going to relief efforts, said Diyame.
Merchandise staff also collected a wish list of feedback from customers.
“It’s always something different each year,” she said.
