LAC LA BICHE - Christmas Farmer’s Markets held during the first three weeks of December will showcase products made by about 30 home-based businesses and crafters from across the Lakeland Region.
These events, organized by the Lac La Biche Farmer’s Market, take place on Dec. 1, 8, and 15 at the Lac La Biche Agricom from 3-5:30 p.m.
One of these vendors who will be at the markets is Tina Paananen of Cold Lake who owns a small company, Whimsical Creations, and her workshop is based out the garage attached to her home.
“I'm located in Cold Lake…however, I travel the Lakeland doing markets,” she told Lakeland This Week.
Paananen creates designs on various items - including glasses, mugs, Christmas ornaments and tumblers – by applying a process called sublimation. Sublimation ensures that these colourful designs are permanent and will not come off when washed in hot water.
“We also offer custom clothing for businesses, teams, non-profits, and people,” she said, adding that her company sells products year-round.
Paananen says she enjoys going to markets in Lac La Biche.
“Lac La Biche citizens support small businesses and makers. I never turn down the opportunity to come to an event in Lac La Biche,” she said.
Bev Tkachuk, manager of the Lac La Biche Farmer’s Market, said most of the vendors who will be selling their goods at this year’s Christmas markets are those that attend the events held during the year.
“We have over 100 different vendors throughout the year… unfortunately we are limited on space in the Agricom, but we book as many as we can,” she said. “This is the busiest season for home businesses and crafters, so we add more excitement to the markets by having prizes and freebies.”
Tkachuk continued by saying that in addition to giving the community an opportunity to purchase an assortment of gifts for the holiday season, the Christmas markets also serve as a meeting place for locals to gather and visit. For $10, kids can get their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Clause. This is an annual fundraiser for the Lac La Biche Agricultural Society.
She stated that these will be the final markets for the year, with the new season starting up for the regular farmer’s markets again on March 22, 2024. To book a table, or for more information, please call or text Bev Tkachuk at 780-623-0503 or visit [email protected]
“In the past, we have had an amazing show of support for our last markets of the year,” Tkachuk said, adding that the Lac La Biche Christmas Farmer’s Market has been an annual traditional for the past 50 years.
