The Rossland Mountain Market had a great first day last week with bustling crowds full of happy faces last week.
The vendors will be doing it all over again today as the market, now held between the old firehall and St-Andrews Parish church, sets up between 3 and 6 p.m.
Last week there was 24 vendors, which included everything from seeds to baked goods to crafts.
Rachael Roussin, with Rossland Real Food said the first day went very well.
“It was a huge success,” Roussin said. “It was really great to see that people made the effort to come up the one block and they certainly did. It looks like everyone had a good time, which is most important.”
The market is more than just a place to sell goods, in Rossland it takes the place of a social gathering, as people converse and meet people they may not have seen in a while.
The first market had great weather as well.
Roussin said they also have excellent vendors.
“Some ladies are doing maple syrup, they spend half their time in B.C. and the other in Quebec,” she said.
There’s also a vendor selling fresh eggs from the Creston valley.
“It’s unique, because we’ve never had eggs before at the market, so I think this is a really nice addition,” she said.
Mad Dog Farms and Garden House Farms were selling fresh strawberries, lettuce, herbs and other plants.
There were also some new artisan vendors, including a man selling stained glass windows and Kootenay Soap Works selling bath-oriented stuff.
There was pottery for sale, as well as fresh baguettes and cupcakes.
Roussin said the Thursday time just works for Rossland.
“We used to have it on Saturdays a long time ago, but it was just dead,” she said, explaining that most Rossland residents leave on the weekends or are out doing something.
The times have been tightened up as well, with the market going from 3 to 6 p.m. sharp, to ensure that those getting off work around 5 - 5:30 will still be able to make the market.
Another new addition this year are grants from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, which will help the market bring in talent from around the area.
“It enables the Rossland market to pay artists for their time,” she said. “We’re really happy that we can pay musicians this year to perform at the market.”
They received funding to put on five performances, which will be by-weekly. The off-weeks, there will still be music in the form of buskers.
“We’re always going to have music, just some weeks it will be bigger,” she said. “We’re still looking for bands and buskers.”
If you’re interested in getting a spot, contact Roussin at rosslandmountainmarket@yahoo.ca.
The market is also open to having local businesses present at the market. Roussin said that usually they have a strict homemade/homegrown rule, but have opened things up this year as a result of the construction.
The market also wanted to thank the old fire hall for use of the space, as well as St. Andrews Parish for the ability to use power.
For more info on the market go to www.rosslandfood.com