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Penticton’s Okanagan Makers craft fair is set to return for 22nd year

Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft and Sustainable Living Show will be at the convention centre
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Lee Martin of West Kelowna was among the vendors offering up some unique products at the Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft Fair last year. The event runs Nov. 3 and 4 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre this year. Western News file photo

The Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft Fair and Sustainable Living Show is returning for its 22nd year to the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Nov. 3 and 4.

Featuring over 150 vendors selling handmade artisan crafts and local foods, this is the city’s first Christmas fair of the season. According to organizer Laurel Burnham, it’s also very important for Penticton’s economy.

“It’s important to remember that (these vendors) are all small-scale businesses,” said Burnham.

Burnham said it will be a good mix of new and returning vendors, with something there for everyone.

“It really evolves each year and we start seeing younger vendors who are starting to craft in a serious way,” said Burnham. “There will be (products that have been) upcycled, are eco-friendly and sustainable. There will be food that’s vegan, keto, sugar-free, the list goes on.”

For Myrna Decock, this craft fair is an opportunity to turn her hobby into something more lucrative. Her booth, Mad Creations, has been a prominent feature at the event for the last 17 years.

“I make handmade wreaths from scratch, small ones and big ones. I do other handmade stuff, a lot of it is decorated snowmen and Santa and moose and mice,” said Decock. “We also make Christmas hangers for trees … and collect driftwood, drilled (to hold) tea lights.”

Decock said this show, in particular, is great to be a part of because it gives back to the community. According to Burnham, a portion of the proceeds of admission will go towards Peach City Radio.

It’s not uncommon for Decock to nearly sell out of her products at the two-day event. She said she sees many of the same people return to her booth each year.

“I’ve already had people call me this year to make sure I’m going to be there,” said Decock. “You always have to have something different because a lot of people will come back and ask about your life, your grandchildren, and what’s new because they’ve bought before.

So you want to bring them something different.”

Business aside, Decock said the best part of returning to the event is hearing feedback from attendees about the fair in general.

“You sit at the tables and you hear people saying ‘This is the best one I’ve ever been to, I can’t wait to come back next year and bring a friend.’ That’s just the best thing you can hear,” said Decock.

The Okanagan Makers Christmas Craft Fair and Sustainable Living Show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $4 and children under 14 are free.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Jordyn Thomson | Reporter
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