By Morinville News Staff
Morinville – Everything from children’s clothing to home décor will be on display at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre this weekend when the doors open on the 5th Annual Snowflakes and Stars Christmas Market. Organizer Kelli Allen said this Saturday’s event would be bigger and better than before with more vendors and more opportunities to help local groups raise funds for their respective causes.
“Currently we have 43 vendors and 33 of those are Sturgeon area vendors,” Allen said in an interview a week before the show. “There is a high percentage of strictly local business people and crafters and artists. So I think that is absolutely fantastic.”
Allen, who has organized and run the event each year, said she began the show because she needed a place to connect with potential customers. “It all started because I wanted some place to showcase what I was doing five years ago, and it’s kind of taken on a life of its own,” she said. “It started at the Rendez-Vous Centre with 20 tables and now it’s going to fill up the cultural centre. People from all over just love to come to this event to check out what Morinville has to offer.”
The business owner and event organizer said she feels it is important to put home-based businesses under one roof to let people know what is in their community. “Even though this is a small town, not everyone knows what there is to offer in town,” Allen said. “So often people run to the city because they want something. In reality, many of those things in the city are available locally. You just have to know where to look. So this is a great platform for all these people that have all these great things to offer – whether it’s a service, something creative, something delicious. [It’s a chance] to get out there and promote themselves and show they are local.”
Of the nearly 50 vendors lined up thus far, Allen said there are vendors selling home décor, health and wellness products, jewelry and fashion items, crafts and treats, children’s clothing and accessories, art and even gourmet food.
Charity component
As has been the case each year, this year’s show will include an opportunity to give as well as receive. Allen said several local fundraising initiatives have been given an opportunity to take part this year.
“I’m so excited this year. We’ve always supported the Morinville Food Bank and we will be accepting food bank donations again,” she said. “We are also once again this year supporting Morinville Tiny Tots Preschool. They are in desperate need of a new location for their program.” The preschool will be selling raffle tickets. Allen said all participating vendors are donating a raffle item to aid the cause. Additionally, Morinville Public Elementary School’s Parent Fundraising Association will be running the concession at the event.
Allen said the combination of making people aware of what home-based businesses are in town, combined with the fundraising element, makes for a great show. “I just think it’s going to be a fantastic event,” she said. “Just come down, check it out, have lunch and see what’s going on.”
Snowflakes and Stars takes place Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. Admission is free of charge.
