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Gifts galore at 21st annual Christmas craft fair

There will be plenty of unique items for sale this weekend at the Penticton convention centre
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Unique items like this glass work will be available at the Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft Fair and Sustainable Living Show at the Penticton Trade and Convetion Centre Saturday and Sunday. Western News file photo

‘Tis the season — the Christmas craft show season, that is.

Kicking off the many fairs and special shopping events is this weekend’s annual Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft Fair and Sustainable Living Show.

This year, over 165 vendors will be offering up their wares, many of whom are local crafters, artisans, and artists at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

“For savvy consumers wanting a head start on their seasonal purchases, this is the perfect opportunity to find many reasonably priced and unique items,” said event director Laurel Burnham.

“Shoppers will also have an opportunity to make a positive social impact by not only shopping locally, but will be able to purchase up-cycled and repurposed items from a number of vendors specializing in reusing commonly discarded materials.”

On hand will be potters, quilters, painters and stained glass and fused glass artists. Along with food and agricultural products, there will be clothing, organic skin and body care products, beautifully decorated holiday cookies, and “the real deal” fruit cakes.

Read more: Christmas gifts galore in Penticton

“It’s a great opportunity to shop local and support the local economy as well. Every dollar spent at these events adds significantly to the local economy. Money spent in big box stores leaves the community,” said Burnham.

Front and centre at the show again this year are a number of not-for-profit community groups including Peach City Radio, Discovery House, South Okanagan Women in Need Society and the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre.

New this time around in that category is the organization Children for a Better Future, a group of young parents who have opened a new daycare in Oliver.

Students and teachers of Princess Margaret Secondary School will be there selling their soup mix in support of the ongoing fundraiser for an orphanage being built in Tanzania.

All the organizations will also benefit from the $4 admission fee (there is no admission for children under 12).

Doors open both days at 10 a.m. There will also be live music and a visit by the Jolly Gent himself at the 21st event.

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Santa is scheduled to once again attend the annual Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft Fair and Sustainable Living Show this weekend at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Western News file photo