The St. Albert Farmers' Market is back for another summer season of shopping, songs, and snacks starting this Saturday, June 8.
Just as years past, the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce is expecting around 20,000 people to check out the market and its 275 or so vendors, 10 food trucks, and handful of buskers each week.
Lesley Obodiak, the Chamber's Farmers' Market and events manager, told the Gazette that over 350 unique vendors will make appearances at the market this summer, although not all vendors will be set up every Saturday.
“I do have a wait list that is almost 500 vendors long,” she said. “It's actually sad we have to say no to so many people.”
On a brighter note, Obodiak said something market-goers can take advantage of this year is free and secure bicycle parking thanks to Cranky's Bike Shop downtown.
Bike parking is not new to the Market, Obodiak said, but it's a service returning after a brief hiatus.
“We have had a lot of requests for it over the last couple years,” she said, adding, “we were able to bring it back this year, which we're pretty excited about.”
“Outside of [Cranky's] tents there will be a place that you can drop off your bike, get a ticket, walk around the market, and come back and pick up your bike.”
Obodiak also said the Chamber is excited to continue the Market Buds program in 2024, which is a food-oriented education program designed to give kids opportunities to engage with food, whether through cooking, crafting, gardening or food tasting.
Although the program will run similarly to last year, Obodiak did say that, thanks to program sponsor KDM Helping Hands, participating kids will receive “produce prizes” this year.
One major change Obodiak wanted to warn residents about is the temporary relocation of the city's free park and ride service pick-up point, which until the end of August will be near the four way stop at St. Vital Avenue and Muir Drive due to construction work near the Sturgeon River requiring the St. Albert Centre transit hub to be closed for much of the summer.
Similarly to previous years, the first market of the season will get underway with a parade on foot through the market, and Obodiak said this year's parade will be lead by bagpiper Alastair Briggs.
“He will be leading the parade, and then [for the] opening ceremonies we will have Grace Forestier doing the national anthem, and she is a busker at the market as well.”
The parade will get underway at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by speeches from distinguished guests, Obodiak explained.
For more information about the Farmers' Market, including a downloadable vendor map, visit the Chamber's market website. The market will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
