Shopping local will be easy this weekend when the Coquitlam Farmer's Market hosts its first ever Christmas market at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Centre in Coquitlam.
Taking place this Saturday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Christmas market will feature a broad range of gift items from foods, crafts and jewelry to clothing and soaps, all locally made and perfect for seasonal giving, said executive director Tabitha McLoughlin.
"People are becoming so aware of shopping local for Christmas, this is an opportunity to purchase all kinds of prepared items and crafts," said McLoughlin who is hoping for a good showing of shoppers so the market can become an annual event for the Tri-Cities.
Normally, she tries to balance the fresh fruits and vegetables with the crafts and prepared products but the Christmas market will be all about giving local crafters, bakers, chefs and artisans a chance to showcase their wares and there will be as many as 50 venders inside and out the rec centre.
There will also be food trucks on hand, and Michele Mateus Photography and Alyssa Kellert Photography are holding a Holiday Photo Booth to raise funds for Share Family and Community Services.
PHOTO FOR SHARING
For a minimum donation of $10, Mateus and Kellert will take your photo against a holiday backdrop and email it to you, complete with a holiday design and greeting. All proceeds are going to Share, which is in desperate need of funds and food to support the food bank this holiday season.
As well, kids can make decorations at a children's crafts area, and there will be special story times on the hour, beginning at 10 a.m., with special guests Anna and Elsa from "Frozen." The Pleasantside elementary school choir will also perform, singing Christmas carol favorites from 11 a.m. to noon.
The Christmas market is free and the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex is located at 633 Poirier St., Poirier and Winslow in Coquitlam.
Also, don't forget the weekly Port Moody Winter Farmers' Market, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at the Port Moody Recreation Complex.
The winter market is also a great place to get food and artisan crafts from local makers. It continues for several more weeks at the Port Moody recreation centre: Dec. 21, 28, Jan. 4 and Jan. 11, with each market starting at 10 a.m.
