Spooky decorations and trick or treating for kids of all ages will feature at the final Cedar Farmers Market of the year. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

market movements

Cedar Farmers Market readies to wrap as Island Roots continues through winter

Oct 30, 2022 | 5:21 AM

NANAIMO — Halloween weekend marks the seasonal end for one area Farmers Market, while another continues to enjoy weekly growth.

The Cedar Farmers Market on Woobank Rd. will hold its final market for the 2022 season with a distinctly Halloween theme. Market-goers are encouraged to dress up and enjoy plenty of trick or treat stops for the kids.

Market manager Kate Poirier said it’s her favourite weekend of the year and caps another immensely successful season.

“We still had summer crowds coming in September and October. I think we’ve been at capacity pretty much the entire season, just as busy as it could possibly get so it’s been an amazing year for the vendors and those coming out.”

The Cedar market features over 100 vendors on any given Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the field behind the former Woodbank Elementary School.

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Poirier said despite a variety of challenges for farmers, the quality has been outstanding year-round.

“There were still strawberries at the market last weekend which is crazy that we have these summer fruits there.”

Capacity at the market extended from not only the vendors but musical acts as well with Poirier forced to turn away several performers who inquired about a spot to play midway through the season.

The successful season also came in spite of a break in which robbed market organizers of thousands of dollars worth of moving dollies, speakers and a generator.

The Island Roots Market has moved into the Centennial Building at Beban Park through the winter months. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

While the Cedar Market is wrapping for their season, the mid-week Island Roots Market continues through the winter months.

After spending the summer outside on the grass at the south end of Beban Park, vendors moved inside the nearby Centennial Building earlier in October to continue through the winter.

Organizer Michele Greene told NanaimoNewsNOW between 40 and 50 vendors are providing produce, baked goods and artisanal gifts every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“We have vegetables all year so you can walk in December, January, February and get fresh carrots, cabbage and squash that’s local. The farmers are getting more educated on how to grow year round.”

Investment from local producers is helping provide a better growing season for more months during the year.

The move indoors wraps a banner year for Island Roots with more vendors and live music returning for the first time post-pandemic.

Greene said the mid-week event, the only one of its kind in Nanaimo, is attracting different kinds of shoppers.

“We’ve really noticed lots of new customers and the seriousness of people, I don’t mean their demeanor, I mean they’re coming to shop and they’re not just looking around.”

Greene said market-goers can expect an increase in crafts and other handmade items as the holiday season approaches, with the goal of providing a venue for people to grocery and holiday shop at the same time.

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley