ESTEVAN — Dates are set, vendors are lined up, and the Estevan Farmers' Market is ready to start the 2023 season.
Market manager Marilyn Simons said they are very excited to get going.
The first indoor sale will take place on April 1 in the Estevan Market Mall hallway. They will continue each Saturday until May 13. Indoor sales will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The outdoor sales will start on May 6 and continue throughout the summer until early October. They will occupy the space in the Estevan Market Mall's parking lot in front of the former SLGA liquor store. Outdoor sales will go from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This year, the farmers market indoor and outdoor sales will overlap for two weeks at the beginning of the season, just as they did last year with May 6 and May 13 sales occurring both indoors and outdoors.
"We are very fortunate to have enough vendors that want to be a part of our market so that we can put those that prefer inside in the mall and those that prefer the outdoors in the parking lot," said Simons. "Some vendors’ displays don't fare well if the weather isn't kind, so we are thankful to give those vendors some extra sale days inside."
The Estevan Farmers’ Market has 27 vendors approved for their spring indoor sales, with about 20 participating every week. Throughout the summer, about 25-30 vendors will participate in outdoor market sales every week.
Both new and returning vendors are joining indoor and outdoor sales this year.
"We're very excited to have returning vendors, and then we always welcome new people that want to venture into becoming entrepreneurs … We encourage as many people that want to apply to come talk to us," Simons said.
Simons added that people can reach out about becoming a vendor at any time. Even if the lists for upcoming sales are finalized, they stay in touch and try to include vendors in their further sales.
"We always have an ongoing approval list," Simons noted.
During indoor sales, the Estevan Farmers' Market will offer customers a variety of baking, crocheting, knitting, canning, woodworking signs, bath bombs, clothing, kids' clothing, gift baskets, jewelry and much more. Vendors bringing in their seasonal offerings, such as all kinds of plants and later vegetables, will join others at outdoor sales.
New for this year will be crystals, wood-burning and custom tumblers. Other vendors will be offering new types of traditional foods.
"We even have some fundraising groups booked throughout the year." Simons added. "We are still taking bookings, so please reach out to us."
The market will also host several traditional events throughout the season, and hopes to introduce some new attractions.
"We have our staples, we have our customer appreciation day and our kids' day. But we're going to interject some new ideas. We may have a Roughriders' Day where we will ask people to come dressed in their favourite Roughriders' gear. We may also have a Christmas in July, where we will ask people to come dressed in their ugly Christmas sweaters or maybe ugly Christmas tank tops, depending on the weather," Simons said with a laugh. “We want to try various things … so pay attention to our social media posts and come participate [and win some] prizes."
Simons added that they are very grateful to everyone supporting the Estevan Farmers' Market.
"We would like to thank the mall for allowing us to keep using their space year after year. We also appreciate all their hard work in helping us plan and execute our indoor sales. We're also so thankful for our supporters. Without them we could not be doing what we love," Simons said. "They return year after year and support these little businesses. And these little businesses turn around and keep the money in our community. That's why we love to support local.
For the weekly vendor lists and other announcements, follow the Estevan Farmers’ Market social media pages or email estevanfarmersmarket@gmail.com to become a vendor.
