Markets and businesses are teaming up to attract shoppers with locally made items and unique finds this weekend.
Okotoks MarketSquare, The Millarville Christmas Market and six independently-owned shops in downtown Okotoks are kicking off the shopping season with the Foothills Holiday Roadshow Nov. 11 to 13.
An $8 ticket allows entry into both markets and discounts ranging from 20 to 50 per cent off at Home Ground Coffee and Roasting House, Monkey Mountain Toys & Games, Rhoda’s Elegance, Prairies Past, Twenty Two Collective and Mint & Maple in Okotoks.
“It’s such a great deal for people,” said Andrea Wilton-Clark, one of the event organizers. “It gets them into both events and it’s a card for downtown Okotoks… that buys a half price coffee at Home Ground or an item at Rhoda’s for half off or 20 per cent off at Monkey Mountain.”
MarketSquare’s Okotoks Christmas Festival will boast more than 125 Foothills artisans and 10 home-based businesses selling wares such as jewelry, woodworking, leather, pottery, art, books and Christmas décor at the Foothills Community Centre. The event runs on Nov. 11 from noon to 8 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“It’s really important to support our artisans and some of our home-based businesses in the Foothills,” said Wilton-Clark.
“We probably have over double the number of vendors that apply and we try to select the ones that are high quality, unique and hand-made. We are sure to not get too many of any one type of vendor.”
The festival also features photos with Santa Claus, a children’s craft workshop and caroling by the Foothills Philharmonic Chorus intermittently on the stage.
West of Okotoks, the Millarville Racetrack will be bustling with activity Nov. 10 to 13 with more than 240 vendors showcasing locally made, baked and crafted items.
Last year’s market drew 22,000 people over three days, the highest attendance since the market began in 1988, said market manager Melonie McKee.
“It’s the destination and atmosphere of being at an outdoor and indoor market that seems to be the draw,” she said. “There is lots of variety.”
In an effort to better handle the large crowds, McKee said the market is taking place over four days and is offering offsite parking with shuttle buses, as well as more volunteers to direct traffic and pedestrians.
The Millarville Christmas Market also provides pictures with Santa Claus, sleigh rides, live caroling, reindeer, a live nativity, forging demonstration, live glass blowing and buskers. A children’s only shopping tent will allow those ages 12 and under to shop for family members and leave with the gift wrapped.
The market takes place Nov. 10 and 11 from noon to 8 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
One dollar from the sale of each ticket will support the Okotoks Food Bank. Donations will also be accepted at the Okotoks Christmas Festival.
For more information go to www.foothillsroadshow.com
