LAC LA BICHE – There was plenty to see and do at the Spring Trade Show and Market, which filled both fieldhouses at Lac La Biche’s Bold Centre on May 3 and 4.
The second annual event was hosted by the Lac La Biche District Chamber of Commerce to highlight storefront and small, home-based businesses.
Those who took in the event were able to browse tables operated by dozens of vendors from the Lac La Biche area and across the Lakeland region.
In addition to a variety of artisan goods, including Indigenous crafts, handicrafts, natural health products, clothing, and furs, many the businesses and community organizations set up inside of the Bold Centre also promoted the services they offer.
For people interested in purchasing a new vehicle, some dealerships from around the region had trucks and sport utility vehicles on display.
In addition to the trade show and market, the event also featured a festival of food, with cuisine from different community groups and restaurants highlighted and available for people to try.
Roscoe Wiseman, who is based out of the Cherry Grove area close to Cold Lake, has a company called Creative Customs.
“I make a lot of military crests and custom-made signs,” he told Lakeland This Week.
The Trade Show and Market, Wiseman said, is good because it provides an opportunity for local businesses to get out and chat with people and show off their products.
“There’s all kinds of beautiful things here,” he stated.
Deep Creek Botanicals, owned and operated by Jamie Strembesky out of the Athabasca area, had a table at the event selling products such as natural soaps, skin care, body care.
This marked Strembesky’s first time at the trade show, and she enjoyed meeting people and at the event.
“It gets people out there, you get to see our local artisans, you get to mingle with people, and buy some excellent products,” she said.
Clara Desjarlais, who owns a small business called Cjays Dezingz, was selling handcrafted smudge boxes and other products, including medicine pouches and even hats.
Desjarlais enjoys making the traditional smudge boxes and having them displayed to be purchased.
“That feeling inside is spiritual…it’s a good feeling actually having someone buy them, because it’s for healing, spiritual healing,” she said.
Koch Ford Athabasca was represented at the 2025 Spring Trade Show and Market. Matthew Purdy of the Ford dealership met with folks who were walking around checking out the trucks, cars and SUVS that were on display.
When asked what he likes about the trade show, Purdy explained that it is having the opportunity to meet with the local community.
“The best part of it is just the ability to meet and greet with the Lac La Biche community…we’re trying to be a presence here in the town,” he said.
