The Cedar Farmers Market opens for the summer on Sunday, May 8, with over 150 vendors lined up to pack Woodbank field every week through to late October. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

AS LOCAL AS IT GETS

‘We are packed at the market:’ Cedar Farmers Market opens for 26th season

May 8, 2022 | 5:22 AM

NANAIMO — It’s not officially summer until thousands gather every Sunday in Cedar.

One of the largest farmers market’s on Vancouver Island kicks off its 26th season on Sunday, May 8 at the field behind the former Woodbank Elementary School on the corner of Woobank and Morland Rd.

Kate Poirier, market manager, told NanaimoNewsNOW they are at capacity this year and are eager for a fully fledged market experience after two years of largely slimmed down events.

“We are packed at the market. Every weekend we have roughly 100 small, local businesses so those are local farmers, artists and specialty food and drink markers.

The Cedar Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday until Halloween, rain or shine.

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Poirier said there is again a wide array of products on offer from fresh produce, baked goods, food trucks, art work, clothing and much more.

“There’s vegetables there that you’ve never seen before and please feel free to talk to the farmers and ask them about the foods they’re growing because there’s some really interesting produce being grown in the region.”

Around 150 vendors are signed up for various parts of the season.

Local produce, baked goods, fresh food and art highlight a wide array of goods offered on a weekend basis. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

They prioritize local business from the Cedar area, but have people from all over the Island bringing their products to sell on site.

With some moving into home-based businesses throughout the pandemic, even regulars will find something new this year.

“We’re always trying to bring in new vendors, especially from our immediate area. I’d say maybe 15 per cent of the vendors attending will be new faces with new products coming to the market.”

The focus of the 2022 season is to bring back a sense of community lost during the last two years with health restrictions limiting the number of vendors and people which could attend at any one time.

Once outdoor gathering restrictions loosened in the latter stages of 2021, attendance surged past previous years with upwards of 2,500 people coming each week.

Live music will be on the main stage during the market hours with performance spots also fully booked for the year.

Poirier is hoping to bring some additional community elements this season to increase the already festive and vibrant atmosphere of the market.

“Encouraging people to really come out and get together with their friends, family and build that sense of community back we’ve been missing out on. Art and craft sessions for kids, face painting, yoga session and we’re hoping to do regular giveaways throughout the season.”

Admission to the market is free, as is parking on site. The field and parking lot is also fully accessible with dedicated parking for those with mobility challenges.

Transit service is also available from VIU or Port Place Shopping Centre.

More information on the market is available on their website.

Popularity of the market has grown year over year, with roughly 2,500 people every Sunday filing in during peak times in 2021. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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