The first Downtown North Bay Winter Outdoor Market attracted the curious, and those looking to get a jump on their Christmas shopping.
Saturday’s market was the first of four scheduled for November, as part of a two-year pilot project.
“We’re calling it the new winter market experience at Jack Burrow’s Parkette in front of the North Bay Museum. It is an opportunity for visitors and residents to be able to come together and get into the festive season, support local business, and get ready for the holidays,” explained Tanya Bedard executive director of Tourism North Bay.
There will be three additional markets taking place every Saturday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in front of the North Bay Museum.
Go to one, or go to them all, no two markets will be exactly alike.
“Tourism North Bay, Creative Industries, the City of North Bay, Downtown North Bay, and Artisans Way have partnered to put together this experience,” said Bedard.
“The vendors that are here are local makers, artisans who all participate through the Artisans Way in a variety of different methods. They have come from the region and are locally known as well.”
The number of vendors participating on any given Saturday is expected to range from 50 to 70.
“If you see one today, you may not see them next week because there may be some new programming and some new activities,” added Bedard.
The vendors offered a wide range of items including clothing, handmade jewellery, and so much more, along with samples from some smaller food vendors.
Families were lined up to hop on board the mini-train which took them on a short ride.
Santa who will be at all the markets, walked around the parkette greeting people of all ages, spreading his holiday cheer.
Next Saturday’s market on November 9 will feature a “make and take” DIY Makers Market.
“You will be able to participate in different DIY (do it yourself) crafting things. You can sign up, and of course, there is a small fee to be able to participate, so that you can make and take away that item. There is one that is for ornaments, there is one that is a tie-dye, there is one that is a Christmas-inspired photo booth,” explained Bedard.
The fee is dependent on which DIY item you choose to make.
“It depends on the vendors. They’re all quite reasonable for a family to be able to participate. Or if you just want to get some friends together to participate as well.”
The weather cooperated for the first market, but what about inclement weather?
“As of right now, the plan is rain, or shine, or snow, to still have it on the Saturday so, November 9th, the 16th, and the 23rd regardless of weather,” Bedard explained.
“Because of our location, we’re so fortunate to be located within close proximity to the North Bay Museum which is offering free admission as well as the Dionne Museum which is also offering free admission. So, the make-and-take portion will be indoors with three different vendors and there will still be the market going on outside, as well as the other activities that are planned for that week.”
The goal of the winter market is to “enhance the vibrancy of Downtown North Bay.”
“We’ve seen the trends in the market, that visitors are looking to experience things, they’re looking to experience and support local. So, we thought why not build on the partnerships we do have, again, with Creative Industries who is providing the live music and the local talent, and with the DIA who is providing some programming and of course we’re located within the downtown,” said Bedard.
“The City of North Bay has created a new film location walking tour, and we have some film sets that were actually used in Hallmark productions here today with us. We have some holiday film screenings that are happening here today as well, that were actually shot in North Bay, to get everybody in the festive mood”
And of course, Tourism North Bay has a vested interest in developing new products and inviting visitors to the city, showing “what a vibrant community we do have here in North Bay.”
As a result, stay and play packages are available through November, to coincide with the markets.
“They were created with a number of our accommodation partners to be able to provide some additional incentives for visitors to come and experience what it is like to enjoy North Bay in the wintertime or a traditionally colder month,” shared Bedard.
“So, we have created those packages to be more attractive to those who may be wanting to spend the weekend.”
Tourism North Bay is also looking forward to continuing its relationship with the City’s film office and continues to offer self-guided film location walking tours.
“Should they be film enthusiasts, or buffs and want to go back to that location that happened in a Hallmark film, now they will be able to download that self-guided walking tour app and participate as a family, or on their own.”
The market also offers opportunities to take a festive photo with family or friends.
Based on some of the positive feedback, people seemed pleasantly surprised by what they saw at the market.
Christy Smith-Baxter was one of many people to take in the first November market.
“We’re enjoying it. We didn’t realize there would be Santa here, and it is nice to get out on a cool night.”
Haley Pidborchynski had this to say about the market.
“It is really nice. I like the vendors, how they’re giving ideas for Christmas gifts.”
“I really like it, it is different. It feels early for Christmas, but it is good to get ideas going,” shared Wyatt Fremlin.
Tourism North Bay has a complete schedule list for the next three markets available on its website.
The markets are a lead up to the annual Old Fashioned Christmas Walk on November 29, celebrating over 30 years in downtown North Bay.
