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Lacombe Community Markets set for the holiday season

All markets will be held in the Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC)

BY KALISHA MENDONSA

Lacombe Express

Lacombe Community Markets are about to be underway for the holiday season, with three markets happening in the next month.

The first two markets will be held during Light Up the Night on Nov. 25th from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The third and final seasonal market will take place Dec. 4th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All markets will be held in the Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC).

Organizer Wendy Buyar said each of the markets is vastly different in the types of vendors and themes that will be present, although each will stick strongly to the idea of a true community market.

“It’s extremely important for our Lacombe Community Market committee to keep our market as a tool to give back to our community,” Buyar said.

“At each of our indoor markets, each of our vendors donate items to a basket that is raffled off, with 100 per cent of that money going back into the community. In the last year, we’ve given that money to FCSS and have raised over $1,000 for a local family who has an ill child and again, we will continue our tradition of our food bank fundraisers.

“We know that group is in desperate need during Christmastime, so it fits.”

Buyar said the donations to the local food bank are not mandatory, but are graciously accepted at certain market events.

This year there are two Christmas-themed markets that will both be accepting food bank donations. Those events are the 19th annual Christmas Faire (Nov. 26th) and the Santa’s Workshop Decor and Gift Show (Dec. 4th).

“The two Christmas markets will serve as foodbank fundraisers, where people can bring in a food donation for the food bank or drop something into our cash boxes. Those are not mandatory donations, but we do make those options available at our markets. If people want to bring those donations with them, we will make sure they get to the food bank,” Buyar said.

The Nov. 25th market is the Black Friday Special, where all vendors will be discounting items by a minimum of 30% from regular prices. Buyar said she’s extremely excited for this event and hopes the community will take time to enjoy the locally-made goods as they tackle their holiday season shopping needs.

Buyar has been working with the Lacombe Community Market committee to build relationships in the district and said she looks forward to building on this ideal.

“Quite often, we will work with City or community groups and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism board and other City departments. We work with the Lacombe Days and Harvest Festival committees and are always excited to work with outside groups,” she said.

“It really gives us an opportunity to learn from them and to build our own opportunities. It allows us to stay involved and learn about different community events.”

For the Christmas Faire (Nov. 26th) and the Santa’s Workshop (Dec. 4th) events, Tiny Tot Junction Daycare will be providing a specialty rate of $5 per hour per child for parents shopping at the community market events.

Buyar recommends following the Lacombe Community Market group om facebook to keep up to date with current events and times.

kmendonsa@lacombeexpress.com