The Cache Creek Beautification Society held its first Indoor Market last Saturday in the Cache Creek Community Hall.
Most of the vendors agreed that it wasn’t a bad first attempt, and they’ll be there for the second Indoor Market on Dec. 5
The Society has been operating a Farmer& Flea Market in Cache Creek every Saturday in the summer since 2011. As the group discussed the idea at the time, they decided that limiting it to only “farmers” would probably mean a quick death.
According to the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, “A ‘farmers’ market’ is a market comprised exclusively of vendors who make, bake, grow or raise the products they sell, of which a majority of the vendors are selling farm products of British Columbia origin. These markets must be British Columbia non-profit organizations, whether incorporated or not, with at least 6 vendors, that operate for 2 or more hours per day for a minimum of 4 markets in a year.”
“In hindsight, we would probably qualify as a farmers’ market,” said Beautification Society president Carmen Ranta.
But, she said, in 2011 the group just wanted to include everyone. And the vendors who bring antiques and yard sale items to the Market have their own large following among customers.
The Market grew out of the group’s old annual plant swap. And now the Market has spawned other events such as Seedy Saturday. The group will be hosting their third annual on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 and will be combined with the Indoor Market. Yard and Garden-related vendors will still be encouraged, but everyone will be welcome. They promise more speakers this year on topics of growing, composting and natural pest management.
Most of last Saturday’s vendors were regulars at the outdoor Market, but there was home made bannock and fritters, fudge from the Ashcroft Bakery, metalworking, hand made pottery, bird houses, bags, jewelry and much more.
Ranta says the group uses the money raised from the Market to pay for the liability insurance that covers them. Some day, though, she hopes the group will become self-sufficient through events like the Market.
The group also organizes the upcoming Winter Lights Singalong on Dec. 11 and hosts the Sage Sound Singers Christmas performance in the Pentecostal Church on Dec. 19.
