The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is looking to bring back a little more homegrown to its hometown.
Tonight (Tues., Sept. 11), during the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets’ third annual Farmers Appreciation Week, the Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Tuesday night Make It, Bake It, Grow It Market.
As of Friday, there were 14 vendors confirmed. Some of their products will include vegetables, fruits, honey, jewelry, dried soup mixes, fudge, and canning supplies.
Chamber manager Melody Smythies says the market will also be held Tues., Sept. 18 and Sept. 25 as a test pilot for a weekly market starting next June.
She said they will be interested in hearing feedback and ideas over the next few weeks as the Make It, Bake It, Grow It Market is held.
“You need people to shop at these markets in order for them to come back,” she said. “We’re hoping that the community will come down and enjoy. If it’s good, we’ll build on it.”
The idea sprouted from the notion that Ladysmith should have its own farmer-type market to attract more business to the town. The last local weekly market was held by the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association several years ago.
“There’s one in Cedar, Nanaimo, Duncan, Sidney — there’s so many people that have markets, and since the Thursday night market disappeared, we always wanted to bring one back,” said Smythies.
Smythies says an ideal spot for the market next year could be the train station parking lot opposite town hall.
The Ladysmith Make It, Bake It, Grow It Market starts tonight (Tuesday) and will run from 3-7 p.m. on First Avenue from Roberts Street to Gatacre Street.
Vendors are still welcome to register for the Sept. 18 and Sept. 25 markets at a cost of $25 per night. Call the Chamber office at 250-245-2112 for more information.
