The Oak Bay Village Night Market is returning for a seventh season with more fresh produce, more locally made edibles and more from-the-farm products than ever before.
This year’s first night market is set for Wednesday, June 10 and the event has expanded to accommodate locally produced beer, wine and cider. Markets are held the second Wednesday of June, July, August and September from 4 to 8 p.m.
“As the market has grown and changed, people are looking for more farm-to-table items as well as our talented artisans,” said Elizabeth Smith, Oak Bay BIA president and chair of the market committee. “We have a huge number of smaller producers and it gives us a unique mix of farm products and artisan craftspeople. Adding breweries, wineries and cideries was a natural extension of the community’s interest in what is locally available.”
Almost 100 vendors will be at the market offering a variety of farm produce and farm-made edibles including artisan bread, preserves, cakes, cookies, pies and more. They will be joined by artisans showing locally crafted items including jewelry, clothing, wood turned items, pottery, art cards and furniture.
New vendors include Hee-Haw Horseradish, the official horse radish of the Oak Bay Tea Party; Fermentum, with a variety of beer jellies and Seeds of Change with all-natural laundry soap and sunscreens.
Sea Cider will be sampling and selling a variety of their new releases along with Rocky Creek Winey and de Vine Vineyards.
Compost and recycling aspects have expanded to support the growth in food products and street food.
Ajna Yoga is offering a free yoga class on the front lawn of the Municipal Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. All levels of experience are welcome. Pedego will also be hosting an electric assist bicycle test drive station on the front lawn. Donna Klasek, polymer clay jeweller, will be demonstrating outside of Side Street Studio. Live music will be performed throughout the evening.
The Oak Bay Village Night Market operates from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oak Bay Avenue between Monterey and Wilmot Street on June 10. The remaining market dates are July 8, Aug. 12 and Sept. 9.