Skip to content

Fair goers celebrate the sales of the season

Thousands of people are expected to attend the annual Okanagan Makers Christmas craft fair
9235870_web1_171108-PWN-craft-fair-01
Gail Martin a member of the Grandmothers for Africa was selling her sock monkeys in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Mark Brett/Western News

Everything from Lee Martin’s specialty handcrafted wooden birdhouses to sock monkeys in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation can be found at this weekend’s Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft Fair and Sustainable Living Fair.

The doors opened to a line up of people at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and there was a steady stream of shoppers coming and going throughout the morning.

Read More:Gifts galore at 21st annual Christmas craft fair

Ann Every was among those who couldn’t wait to get inside to see just what the more than 165 vendors had to offer at the 21st annual event which is one of the first and largest of its kind during the Christmas season.

“I look forward to this particular fair every year because you just never know what new and unique things people are selling,” said Every, who describes herself and a “craft fairaholic” hitting every event of its kind that she can. “It’s so neat being able to find the little treasures which make such great, and really personal gifts.”

The fair runs until 5 p.m. Saturday and the doors will open again Sunday at 10 a.m. and go until 4 p.m.

Supporting local artists and farmers, Okanagan Makers co-ordinates several markets in the South Okanagan during the year.

As it has for nearly a quarter century, the Penticton fair supports many local charitable organizations from the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre to Discovery House men’s addiction centre and many others in between.

A program is available at the door with a list and location of the participating vendors.

The next Okanagan Makers Christmas market locally is Nov. 18 and 19 on board the SS Sicamous with music, door prizes and free parking starting at 10 a.m. both days.

9235870_web1_171108-PWN-craft-fair-02
Lee Martin of West Kelowna was among the vendors offering up some unique products at the Okanagan Makers Christmas craft which runs Saturday and Sunday at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Mark Brett/Western News
9235870_web1_171108-PWN-craft-fair-03
Santa stopped by the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre booth to visit with Susan Robinson and Otis the teddy bear at the Okanagan Makers craft fair Saturday. Mark Brett/Western News