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Night Market attracts hundreds

Attendance, and the number of vendors, were both up from last year's event.
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Youngsters had a chance to decorate Spirit Square during the Night Market

This year’s third annual Night Market in Fort St. James was a huge success, with between 400 and 500 people attending some part of the event on Aug. 18.

Lina Gasser, Local Government Management Intern at the District of Fort St James, said this was an improvement on last year, when some 300-400 people attended. “And in 2014 we had 29 registered vendors; this year we had 39,” said Gasser, who was in charge of organizing, managing, and coordinating the event.

The musicians and vendors, artists and artisans came from all over the area, and provided a vibrant mix of sights, sounds, and tastes. “I think everyone had a really great time and enjoyed it,” says Gasser. “The music was a big success, and we had a good mix of bands.”

The crafts on display included paintings, carvings, woodwork, jewellery, soap, leatherwork, and clothing. There was also local honey, homemade preserves, local produce, fresh baked goods, and frozen meat, and vendors on hand to supply dinner and snacks. The hot night meant that the fresh lemonade quickly sold out, and ice cream cones were popular.

Children were able to decorate Spirit Square, and there were tours of the new Healthy Minds Community Garden. There were also information booths, where people could get free books, take hula hoop lessons, find out about becoming a volunteer firefighter, or support Fort St. James Constable Andres Sanchez as he sets out to ride in the Cops for Cancer “Tour de North” event next month.

The sun setting over Stuart Lake had little effect on the crowd, as many people seemed determined to stay there until the market closed. Gasser has a big “thank you” to everyone who attended the event or helped organize it, and to all the vendors. “And we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors: the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Mount Milligan, Fort St. James Green Energy Limited Partnership, Newgold Blackwater, the Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce, and the District of Fort St. James.”

Gasser says that she’ll be submitting notes and a final report about the event. “I hope that we can have an even bigger and better Night Market next year.”

Barbara Roden