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Christmas event wraps up Lac La Biche Farmer’s Market season

The Lac la Biche Farmer’s Market closed for the season with one last Christmas-themed celebration held on Dec. 9. 

The Lac La Biche Farmer’s Market wrapped up on Dec. 9 with a Christmas-themed event.  

With dozens of vendors making their way through the market, which runs from late March to early December, it was a good year for local business owners to connect with shoppers, said Beverly Tkachuk, lead organizer. 

“It was a really good year and a big bounce back from the last two years,” she said, referring to the pandemic and restrictions that were in place at the time. “It was nice to have some sense of normalcy.” 

The Friday event included photos with Santa, door prizes and honorary gifts to volunteers who supported running the market each week at the Lakeland Agricom. The celebration also included live music and dozens of vendors offering homemade goods, food, apparel, jewelry, and Christmas-themed gifts. 

“This is always what we do. We haven’t had the free prizes because of COVID. But this year we brought back the door prizes, the cake and Santa… It was great to get people together before the holidays.” 

Community support 

The farmer’s market hosts special events throughout the year, often in line with holidays like Easter and Christmas. The markets run every Friday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The farmer’s market, which was established over three decades ago, has always been a place to incorporate festivities, and most of all supports small businesses, vendors, and artisans. 

“The market is important... It's an incubator for companies, for businesses just starting out, and for some who want to stay at this level. Some appreciate this level, and some want to go bigger." 

Tkachuk thanked the community for its ongoing support of the market. 

“You can count so much on your tourism, but it's the community support year-round, that's the backbone… We wouldn't be here without them. We're hugely supported.” 

Tkachuk took over the Lac La Biche Farmer’s Market 11 years ago from Freda Phillips who co-founded and led the market for over 35 years. Tkachuk says having the former community leader attend the final event this year was a special surprise. 

“This is the first time she's been back in a couple of years… but it was an honour and it was wonderful.” 

With the market closing for the rest of winter and reopening in the spring, Tkachuk says many new ideas are in the works. 

“We like surprising people, so they’ll have to wait to see as we go along. But we are always shooting for more to include in the farmer’s market. You have to keep things fresh, alive, and fun to keep people coming in… We’re looking forward to next spring.” 




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