Wednesday marks the first of the popular street markets this summer in Oak Bay.
On the second Wednesday of each month June through September, Oak Bay Avenue transforms to a European style vendor market from 4 to 8 p.m.
Growing from a few vendors set up on the sidewalk, the market now features over 100 vendors selling a full range of food and artisan products. A variety of street food is available as well as produce and fresh made food to take home. Each market has live music, theatre performances, magic shows and activities hosted by Oak Bay village businesses.
“We have more and more fresh produce available which we have heard from our market attendees is what people are seeking. Favourite things are the street food and the fresh produce and freshly made items that people can take home along with items from our wonderful artisan vendors,” says Elizabeth Smith, market director with the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association.
Over one-third of the vendors are new to the Oak Bay village market this year. Tugwell Creek and Dragonfly Vineyards joined along with Arbutus Distillery from Nanaimo. Arbutus will sample a range of spirits including Coven Vodka which features a glow in the dark label, Empiric Gin, and Baba Yaga Absinthe made of locally-grown botanicals.
Edible products new to the market this year include Salt Spring Salts, Micro Greens and Uncouth Chocolate. A variety of baking will be available including gluten free selections. Long-time favourites Circle Canning, Glanford Greenhouse and Silver Rill Farm as well as the popular Kiwanis barbecue will all be returning.
Different musicians will play at each market through the season. First up, Bill and the Kids features an 11 year old jazz pianist, his 9 year old sister on vocals and an 83 yr. old sax player. The second half of the market will feature performances by the Morris Dancers. Theatre SKAM’s Pop Up Theatre will offer short, family-friendly theatre performances throughout the market.
Telus, a sponsor this year, is bringing virtual reality to the market and visitors to their booth will be able to float through a river in Vietnam, travel though space, play basketball with LeBron James or check out elephants on a safari.
The market continues to offer a mix of artisan vendors showcasing locally-made jewellery, clothing, furniture, glass art, soaps, wood turnings and more. While many artists come from Greater Victoria, some come from the Cowichan Valley and the Gulf Islands.
The Oak Bay street market, held rain or shine, is organized by the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association