It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at the Millarville Racetrack.
Volunteers and vendors are hastily preparing for the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society’s four-day Millarville Christmas Market featuring hayrides, carolers, music, lights, roasted chestnuts and 326 craft, art and food vendors.
The market runs Nov. 7, 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and
Farmers Market manager Melonie McKee said the Christmas market is an opportunity for people to escape the hustle bustle of the malls for a more relaxed country shopping experience that boasts unique gift items like jewelry, glass, paintings, pottery, fabrics and a wide variety of food items made at the hands of Alberta artists and crafters.
“People love to come out here and they make it a tradition every year,” she said. “I think it’s the authenticity of the vendors and the majority of our items are made, baked or grown in Alberta.”
Established in 1988, the Millarville Christmas Market attracts an average of 20,000 visitors annually who meet face-to-face with makers, growers and bakers in the region.
“It’s a country feel - it’s quaint and it’s open atmosphere shopping,” said McKee. “You have a chance to chat with the vendors. It’s not that far out of the city but it makes them feel like it’s farther away from the urban atmosphere, for sure.”
Vendors are located both outdoors and in heated arenas and tents, with the majority returning to the Christmas market year after year, as well as 80 new vendors this weekend, McKee said.
“Unique gifts for family members is the biggest draw,” she said. “While many people are shopping for others, I think they buy something for themselves when they are here.”
The market offers a variety of family activities including hayrides, glassblowing demonstrations, photos with Santa, Santa’s workshop and photos with reindeer.
“People love to see the reindeer,” said McKee. “It’s something you don’t get to see every day and it makes a good Christmas picture for the family.”
One of the most popular activities amongst the younger visitors is the children’s shopping area.
McKee said the children’s shopping centre, for youngsters ages 12 and under, boasts more than 4,000 items priced at $10 or less.
While some vendors donate items, the majority of gifts are made by volunteers through the Kids Only Shop Committee. These include knit items, bath bombs, birdseed jars, aprons and Christmas decorations.
Proceeds from the children’s shopping centre go to the hot lunch programs in schools across the Foothills district, McKee said.
In addition to a variety of gift selections offered at the market, McKee said food will be in abundance, whether it’s at local vendors, food trucks or the racetrack concession.
“People want to see more food varieties so we brought in more food trucks this year,” she said. “There will be sandwiches, Vietnamese food, pizza, burgers, fries, deep fried pickles and poutine.”
Admission to attend the Millarville Farmers Market is $6.
