Whether you’re looking for a gift for yourself, your family member, your friend or even your pet, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at the Chemainus Giant Street Market.
With more than 100 vendors filling Willow Street, the market runs this Saturday (July 6) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Every year in early July, the Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce closes off Willow Street in downtown Chemainus and fills the street with more than 120 vendors from as far away as Vancouver and, this year, one from Port Alice.
Chamber co-ordinator Jeanne Ross says there are many reasons to come and shop at the Giant Street Market.
“There will be handmade crafts, local specialty food, clothing, a huge variety of collectibles, plants for your home and garden, special deals from many local merchants and much more,” she said.
“People start calling from all over the Island as early as March to ask what the date for this year’s sale will be.”
Ross says many local shops participate in the Giant Street Market, and various groups and organizations will have information booths.
There will be a wide selection of vendors at this year’s market.
Ross says one popular returning vendor is Everlasting Roses, which makes roses out of extremely thin wood.
“They look a bit like silk roses, but they’re wood,” she said. “Some are scented, and some aren’t; those are kind of cool.”
Ross says there will be a quite a lot of children’s clothing, including handmade soft leather shoes, and lots of jewelry. As well, market-goers can expect a number of photography booths, hand-produced specialty pet products, lots of food, a booth from the Chemainus Community Crafters, stained glass, pressed glass, antiques, First Nations art, small furniture, plants, linens, Javita herb-infused coffee and much, much more.
“There’s pretty well everything,” said Ross. “Our rule is everything as long as it’s not illegal. We don’t edit anything.”
Because of the expected volume of traffic, Western Forest Products is allowing the use of its lower parking lot off Croft Street for market shoppers. From the lot, there is a short trail leading through Waterwheel Park, right into the heart of the market.
Ross encourages people who are planning to come to Chemainus for the market to make a day of it and visit the town’s many great eateries or bring a picnic and eat in Waterwheel Park or at Kin Beach at the foot of Maple Street.
For more information about the Chemainus Giant Street Market, call Ross at 250-246-3944.