You've heard about it for the past few months, seen posters on the street and picked up a flyer at the last craft show you attended - so what is all the fuss about? Well, here's a sneak preview of what you'll find:

One of a Kind Jewellery, Pottery, Glassware, Woodcraft and Textiles - you'll find beautiful high quality functional and decorative items for every taste and budget. Many of our vendors are award-winners and have exhibited around the world. We are so honoured to have them in our community.

Photography, Paintings and Prints - pick up holiday or any occasion cards, a new photo piece for the house or an original work that will be treasured for years.

Body Care, Aromatherapy and Soap Crafts - ever popular, our vendors in this category are also juried like other craft items so you are sure to be purchasing products of the highest quality. Look no further for stocking stuffers and gift-exchange gifts.

Baked Goods and Sweet Treats - choose from festive selections like panettone, paneforte, stollen, truffles, candy, gingerbread and shortbread of all shapes and descriptions. You'll surely be a welcomed guest when you arrive for dinner with an armful of these yummies.

Savoury Snacks, Spreads and Dips - get the party started with an assortment of delicious snackables like pesto, salsa, pepper jelly, hummus and more. The selection among these items is immense so come prepared to sample and to tote home more than a few for your next get together.

Condiments, Seasonings, Oils and Vinegars - premium quality spice blends, flavoured oils and vinegars and salad dressings complete your holiday pantry and make excellent hostess gifts.

Honey and Bee Products - BC apiarists produce many varieties of delicious and healthful honey. Did you know baked goods made with honey stay fresher longer? Be sure to check out their beeswax candles and other bee products like pollen. And there will be plenty to go 'round - there are 2 honey vendors each day.

Cheese and Dairy Products - we'll have a veritable cheese festival happening at this market so be sure to grab a taste to see what you like best. Cow and goat milk cheeses available. The makings for a fabulous festive season cheese tray starts here.

Meat and Seafood - yes, you can get your holiday meal fixin's at this market too. Our popular beef, lamb, ostrich and seafood vendors have joined us this year and we are happy to have them.

Jay Springs Lamb - Sunday
Iron Maiden Seafoods - Sunday
Greenhill Acres (beef)- Sunday
Goldwing Ostrich (eggs and preserved meat)- Saturday and Sunday

Fresh Produce, Plants and Nuts - its great to have something fresh during the cold, dark days of winter. You'll find a limited supply of fresh apples and squash, fragrant herbs and tasty shelled and in-the-shell hazelnuts at this market too. Did you know that most unshelled nuts you see in a grocery store are over a year old (at least!) You'll taste the difference.

Dried and Preserved Fruit and Vegetables - our smart farmers and canners spent the summer drying, canning and preserving the best of the season so they can be enjoyed the rest of the year. You'll find a wide variety of jams, jellies, juice, fruit leather, dried fruit and vegetables, pickles and preserves. A delicious taste of summer in December!

For an up-to-date vendor schedule see: www.eatlocal.org/wm_2005.html

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Download a map and plan your attack. Here's a handy guide for those of you who know who you need to see. Its always good to give everything a look too. (These are PDF documents)

SATURDAY
SUNDAY

Bring your membership card. Members get front of the line access, free admission and 2 free raffle tickets. Not a member? Sign up at the market and enter our new-member-only raffle.

Grab a coffee on the way in. We don't have a coffee vendor this year so stop in at any of the number of coffee shops along Main Street and get something hot to go. Support our neighbour businesses.

Bring cash. Many vendors do not take credit cards and there is no access to an ATM in the hall. A G & F cash machine and a CIBC atm are only a block away though.

Bring shopping bags from home. Help us reduce our environmental impact by using reusable shopping bags or recycling plastic bags you already have.

Bring the kids but leave the stroller at home (or in the car). Heritage Hall is a beautiful but not overly spacious venue once we pack it full of vendors and their goods. If you can bring your baby in a front pack or sling, you'll be happy you have your hands free for all the other stuff you'll be carrying.

Buy a raffle ticket (or 3, its a better deal). Our raffles are legendary. 6 great prizes to choose from and all are spectacular. Prizes are donated by market vendors. Past winners have been blown away by all the great goodies they've received. Tickets are $1 each, 3 for $2.

Come both days. Don't think what you saw Saturday will be there Sunday. Sales will be brisk so when you see something you like, buy it - don't wait. Also, come back to see new vendors Sunday - 50% of the market is different.