One of the largest holiday events in the Lower Mainland makes a jolly return; the West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Market runs Friday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Nov. 17, with 170 artisans and 300 participants at the TRADEX in Abbotsford.
Perhaps the big day, Christmas, is still well over a month off at this point in time, but the idea is to discover new and locally made gifts well in advance; that could include original art, crafts, woodwork, ceramics, specialty foods, home decor, clothing, furniture, floral designs, jewellery, candles, soaps, toys, and a whole lot more.
Being less than a sleigh ride away, a handful of 91原创 vendors are participating in the show, offering up everything from seasonal treats and holiday decor.
Susan Lang, owner of said her product makes the perfect stocking stuffer for the hot sauce fanatic in the family.
鈥淢y husband would buy one just to taste it and then the bottles just sit there and aren鈥檛 used,鈥� Lang explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a dry alternative that comes coarse in a shaker can. People can put as much or as little as they like.鈥�
Lang鈥檚 product got it鈥檚 spicy start in 2017; it鈥檚 a ground black pepper she said has been 鈥渦pgraded鈥� with heat producing ingredients to make each grain of pepper 鈥渟upercharged鈥� right out of the shaker.
鈥淧ersonally, I only like a little 鈥� but I鈥檓 new to the West Coast Christmas Show; my goal was to get it in stores and now people can buy it in Ralph鈥檚, Choice鈥檚 Markets, and Otter Co-op.鈥�
Lang said she additionally grows Lavender which she will also be selling at the market.
Marilyn Moseley and Wilma King-Bennett will be bringing a 91原创-based treat with a rich history to the Christmas show 鈥� Caribbean Rum Cake.
鈥淲e hope that being a part of the WCCS, other local farmers and craft markets we will be nationally inclusive, share product awareness and begin to establish a tradition that will pass on for generations to come,鈥� Moseley said.
Rachel Labossiere, owner of said becoming a new parent led her to develop a spit absorbent bib.
鈥淥ur flannel bibs are three layers with absorbent terry cloth sandwiched in the middle ready to accept copious amounts of liquid,鈥� Labossiere said, adding that attending the Christmas show additionally led to their involvement this year.
鈥淲e have shopped at the WCCM in the past, and always find great items and enjoy the experience getting into the Christmas spirit,鈥� she continued. 鈥淲e will have some Christmas themed bibs available for purchase, in addition to our regular stock.鈥�
91原创 resident Sara Samoukovic operates her macrame wall-hanging and key-chain business through Etsy, and said the holidays have inspired her to include more festive products.
鈥淢y products are mainly home decor, but for the show I am also making Christmas ornaments in tune with the season,鈥� Samoukovic said.
The show is much more than just vendors and products; an array of programming to get folks in the seasonal spirit will also be running through the entity of the show.
Visitors are encouraged to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters for a shot at earning a prize.
There鈥檒l be pictures with Saint Nick himself, decorated trees and a garden display put on through 99 Nurseries, and even a Santa鈥檚 workshop area where kids can make their own cookies.
Guests will also find three stages; the community arts stage, which will showcase people鈥檚 talents, the home for the holidays stage, which will harbour cooking demos and decor ideas, and sounds of the holidays, which will hold live musician performances.
Read More: West Coast Women鈥檚 Show features 91原创 businesses alongside 400-plus booths and boutiques
The show runs Friday, Nov. 15, 1 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During the show鈥檚 11 years, more than 175,000 visitors and 2,800 vendors have taken part.
For more information and to see a full schedule of events and vendor list, people can visit .
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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