LAC LA BICHE - The annual ‘Shopping Extravaganza’ kicked off the holiday buying season in Lac La Biche County with over 100 vendors all gathered in the Bold Center. The annual market event, held in conjunction with the Festival of Trees weekend, has been coming around every November for a decade.
“We had about 120 tables both days,” says Beverly Tkachuk, lead organizer. “This is our first time trying it out on a Sunday and it turned out good… I spoke with most of the vendors after the sale, and they were quite happy with how it went.”
A few vendors from around the province set up alongside the local businesses and home vendors selling merchandise during the event. Up for grabs this year were wood crafts, Christmas ornaments, cookware, books, and “locally trapped processed furs made it to mitts and hats,” said Tkachuk. Additionally, Indigenous artisan goods, jewellery, home spa essentials and more were available for the hundreds of local and out-of-town shoppers.
Giving back
While giving small businesses a place to sell products and locals a unique place to shop is a main component of the event, the market also aims to give back to the community.
Each year, vendors donate an item for the Kids Are Worth it Nutritional Program to raffle off, explains Tkachuk. The not-for-profit organization has been supporting healthy lunch options in Lac La Biche schools for over two decades.
“It is one of their big fundraisers and we really enjoy working with Kids Are Worth It. It's important to us… and this year was their best year from what I heard,” she said. The event also offers free space for other non-profits to sell their products, have bake sales and fundraise for their clubs and organizations.
“Whatever non-profit calls us, they get a free table, and they always have.”
Partnering up with the Lac La Biche Agricultural Society to host the Shopping Extravaganza this year, Tkachuk adds it took many hands and ideas to pull it off. Organizers and vendors are looking forward to being back next year.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
