Thouands flock to the Cedar Farmers Market every Sunday between mid-May and late-October for a weekly dose of local products and vendors. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

summer market

‘It’s a very positive energy:’ Cedar Farmers Market opens for 2023 summer season

May 14, 2023 | 5:53 AM

NANAIMO — Many locals will agree, it’s not the summer months on the central Island until the Cedar Farmers Market opens.

One of the biggest events of its kind in the region opens for its season on Sunday, May 14 and will run rain or shine every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 29 at the former Woodbank Elementary School on Woobank Rd.

New market manager Katrina Darwin said the weather is poised to be perfect for their first week of the year, with a lot of action and organization leading up to launch.

“Just trying to get all of our vendors in, we have about 105 vendors scheduled for Mother’s Day and I had about 200 who wanted to attend. Our music schedule is set for the summer which is exciting…we’ve got a really great lineup of musicians this year, some you’ve heard before, some new ones.”

Once again, stalls will open each week at 9:30 a.m. for a 30 minute a reserved shopping time for those needing it, including seniors, those with mobility or sensory challenges.

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Changing this year are some more meal options at the market through creation of a food truck island in the middle of the field along with seating and plenty of space to stay a while.

Darwin is determined to use every square inch of the old school field with the 105 vendors slated for this weekend.

“That’s pretty much standard, that’s about as many as we can accommodate throughout the year, most weeks we’ll be right around that 100 to 105 mark, it’s always really full and really busy. It’s really great to see so many people who want to come out to the market.”

She added the market music lineup is secured in for the season with local artists playing all through the four hours.

Face painting and different kids activities round out the experience.

Darwin said she wants to keep the market as a chance for people to stay they entire time, providing enough vendors and entertainment for people to make a day of it.

She added everyone who comes tends to be in a great mood and is keen to support local.

“People are just reconnecting with their community, reconnecting with people they haven’t seen in a while, making new friends, it’s a very positive energy. You’re all excited about the same thing, you go there because you like the local aspect, you like supporting local businesses.”

The final market of the year is always Halloween themed, while organizers are planning the usual Christmas-themed market for sometime in in mid-November.

Bus service is available via route 8 from VIU to Cedar with drop off and pickup right at the market grounds.

More information on vendors and the market in general is available at the Cedar Farmers Market website.

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