The Red Market Barn remains a perennial favourite of both locals and tourists. While owners Brenda and Harold Johnston aim to constantly improve the 101-year-old institution, history buff Brenda says the Kenosee-area attraction's appeal is timeless.
“It's really all about the people. That's what makes the barn such a special place,” says Brenda. “It's about meeting up with people that have come home for the summer, and people that are visiting the area for the first time. It's a great gathering place, and the lakes, the casino, and all of the communities that surround us all create that special atmosphere.”
The Johnstons have lived and worked in communities throughout southeast Saskatchewan, and since they bought the barn, the couple are determined to improve the visitors' experience, while upholding the barn's history.
“I really respect what the Raynards have built,” says Brenda of the barn's original owners, John and Marie Raynard. “We want to give back to the local communities who have been so good to us. Every community sees it as 'their market', and we really want to uphold and enhance the Red Barn's tradition.”
As a vendor in the barn's newly-refurbished 'The Loft', Brenda has over 20 years' experience as a market seller.
“I make moccassins, mitts, and I also do wheat weaving,” she says. “And this year, I'm introducing polar fleece welly socks, to wear inside rubber boots. Not only are they oil rig-tested, Cheryl Winkler -who shares 'The Loft' space with me and sells her wildlife artwork- has also tested them at her animal rescue facility.”
“As a vendor, I can hopefully enhance our vendors' experience, and make the Red Market Barn a place they want to return to. This year, all 70 of our vendor spots are filled, and we received over 200 applicants, who wanted to come here to sell.”
“We want our visitors to come and find their favourites, but we also want to change it up, to keep it evolving, so there is something different to see each week, instead of the same old thing week after week.”
“My vendors are my best advertisers.”
Brenda says that fresh produce is an in-demand item, and she has altered her approach this year, in an effort to keep a steady supply in stock for the barn's visitors.
“Market veggies are really popular,” she says. “With nature, you learn to expect the unexpected. We've widened our reach this year with our vendors, because last year, some of them were from the same area and were rained out, so our stock suffered. This year, I hope we've solved that.”
Brenda says that in the two years she and her husband have owned the barn, they have welcomed visitors from Asia, the UK, Europe, South Africa, and the U.S.
“I have a spinning wheel in 'The Loft' and an old picture of a woman working at a spinning wheel. It's not worth any money, but it has great sentimental value to me,” says Brenda. “A lady from Asia really wanted to buy it, but I couldn't part with it. She was fascinated with prairie culture, and a lot of our visitors are.”
“A customer from South Africa bought loads of Christmas decorations I'd made with wheat-weaving to take home. They're packaged up and of course, they'really light, so they make a great Saskatchewan souvenir, especially if you have a long flight back home.”
“We've built a new stage, and we rotate three live bands over the summer. One little boy from Ireland loved it. He said he was so excited to be at what he called 'a farm dance.'”
“We've worked really hard to make it a place where kids can have fun, too,” she says. “We've put in a sandbox, and we try to do fun things for them like glitter tattoos and face painting.”
“And of course, we have food vendors, so people can spend the day here. One of our vendors was Trevor Gelsinger of White City, who served barbequed pulled pork and pizza. We had him last year and he was a hit, so we invited him again this year.”
The Johnstons also welcome weddings and other gatherings to the Red Barn.
“This year, we've got three weddings booked,” says Brenda. “People want that authentic character, and we found some old stained glass when we were renovating. Harold re-installed it and it looks gorgeous.”
“There are furnaces in the barn now, so we're getting a lot of inquiries,” says Brenda. “It's a great venue, because there's lots of parking and people can also park their campers here. We've hosted family reunions and even a first-aid course. It's a great spot for all types of gatherings. However, we don't do catering.”
“A lot of couples just come for their wedding pictures. We don't charge for that, but we do ask that they call in advance.”
“We have also invited people from care homes to come up and spend time with us at the barn. There is room for their buses, and we made sure everybody got in.”
“Whether it's about what we sell, what people can eat, what they can do, or who they meet here at the Red Market Barn, we really just want to make it a place where everybody who wants to can have a relaxing, enjoyable day with us.”
The Red Market Barn is located 2 km north of Kenosee Lake. Markets are held June 14 and June 28. In July and August, markets are held every Sunday. The final market of the season is Sunday, September 6. Markets hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
