This arts and crafts artisan fair has apparently been around for many, many years, but I've not…read moreheard of it until recently (perhaps they were cancelled the past few years due to COVID). But my friend has gone to this fair often, years ago, when it was held at a different site, and she recommended we go this year. So yesterday we went - and it was GREAT.
This weekend it is being held at the Creekside Community Center, in Athlete's Village, and it will be held on June 11 and August 20 on South Granville (see the two photos I attached, with details). When I visited yesterday, there was a $5 admission fee and over 70 vendors inside. (They did check our COVID vaccine "passports" and face masks were "welcome but not mandatory", FYI. I felt comfortable, and although there were many customers and vendors present, I didn't feel crowded in).
I really liked this venue site. It was large and airy, immaculately clean (is that redundant? lol), super-well organized, and had large, spotless washrooms, with a nice lobby with comfy chairs to wait for friends.
Like any artisan fare, the prices of goods are not "cheap", but all are hand-made, many support local causes, and all support local business and local artists. We're not talking about mass-produced, machine-made products. Still, for artisan-made goods, I found the prices very reasonable.
The diversity of products was great here. Yes, there was an abundance of candles and lotions and soaps (but they are of high quality, and many give out samples. My hands are STILL soft and smell great from all the creams applied lol!). I got some "shower steamers" (3 for $8) and my friend got some amazing creams for muscle aches (she's a runner. OMG these creams smelled SO good and were SO warm when applied). There were some awesome jewelry makers (my friend got a small glass gummy bear pendant on a chain. They came in a rainbow of colors and were fabulous!), bottled ciders and spirits (we tried some samples. WOW), pottery works, leather aprons and textile goods, Vancouver photographs on pouches and pillows, science stickers and baby clothes, gourmet chocolates and wood and resin trays, and more. Many of these items and vendors were new to me; I hadn't seen them before at any of the other artisan conventions and fairs I've attended. So I was impressed!
The summer PortoBello markets on South Granville will be held outdoor, with free admission. If you're in the area, check it out! I think it important to show our support for the artists who help make our city so vibrant.