This is the final story in a series on the variety of summer markets on the Saanich Peninsula
A new market on the Saanich Peninsula is hoping to bring more energy to Sidney on Sundays.
The Sidney Summer Market, held in the field of the Mary Winspear Centre, began on June 1 and will run until Thanksgiving. Organizer Ed Price said the market is growing steadily and he hopes to see it blossom even more.
“The nice part about being in behind the (Mary) Winspear Centre is that we have the space,” Price explained.
“We have space to host around 200 vendors. Right now we have between 20 and 25 vendors a week and it’s growing. The most we’ve had is 40 and we’ll see those higher numbers back once September rolls around and people are less busy.”
Price said he has been working to start a Sunday market on the Peninsula for a few years
“I ran Touch of Saltspring and I was on the board of the SBA, so I had experience with these types of events. I had the idea in my head because many of the Touch of Saltspring vendors were looking for another venue to sell their wares. Last year I looked at maybe doing a market at Sandown and this year it finally came together at the Winspear,” he said.
The market has a good mix of vendors, he continued, and he said he expects to see more and more attend the market as it becomes better established.
“It was time for an event on Sunday in Sidney. We need that draw to the town on the weekend,” said Price.
The market is not juried, meaning anyone is welcome to rent a booth. Some of the items for sale at the market include jewellery, woodworking, cedar baskets, Tupperware, Avon, clothing, produce (especially berries), dolls, fishing lures, knitting, sewing and baking. Different food vendors also attend the market week to week and there’s also occasionally some musical entertainment.
For more information on the market, call 250-655-0967.
Markets on the Peninsula
Thursday:
What: Sidney Street Market
When: Thursday evenings until Aug. 28 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Beacon Avenue in Sidney
Saturday:
What: North Saanich Farm Market
When: Saturdays until October from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: St. John’s United Church (10990 West Saanich Rd.)
What: Peninsula Country Market
When: Saturdays until October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Saanich Fairground, 1528 Stelly’s X Rd.
Sunday:
What: Sidney Summer Market
When: Sundays until October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Mary Winspear Centre field, 2243 Beacon Avenue
What: Brentwood Bay Community Market
When: Sundays until Aug. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Park in Brentwood Bay, near the Library and Cultural Centre (1209 Clarke Rd.)
