100 Mile House can look forward to a full house at this year’s South Cariboo Women’s Fair on May 3 and 4.
Shelly Morton, community program and events co-ordinator for the South Cariboo Rec Centre, said this year she has over 70 vendors set to attend. This year marks the ninth time the fair has held the popular event which attracts vendors and attendees from across the region
“We are full and I’ve got a waiting list going, so that’s really exciting. Over 30 of the vendors are new first-time vendors, so that’s great,” Morton said. “It’s just been a really great reception from the community this year.”
As in previous years, Morton said the fair will begin on Friday, May 3 with a special Wine and Cheese Night. Admission is $10 with doors opening at 5 p.m. for anyone with a ticket over the age of 19. The night gives people a chance to do some early shopping and watch some live entertainment, all while enjoying a nice drink.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., meanwhile, the doors of the fair will be thrown open for free with all members of the public invited to attend. While the focus of the fair is on celebrating women-led and focused businesses and products, Morton remarked the fair welcomes anyone to attend both days.
Independent Scentsy consultant Laureen Garner of Laureen’s Scentsations is one of several vendors returning to the women’s fair this year. Graner said she’s been sharing her scented candles, oils, cleaning products, over 80 fragrances and other products at the fair for the last three years.
“I am really looking forward to coming back. I enjoy seeing all the other women in business and what different opportunities are out there for women,” Garner remarked. “If I get customers at my table that’s awesome, but I really enjoy just being around other businesswomen. It’s the connections that we make.”
Garner encourages anyone with an interest in scents to swing by her booth at the fair. She said that scents trigger memories and she loves watching people find the scents that trigger happy memories.
“It makes my day so much more special,” she added.
Morton said that returning vendors like Lolly’s Baking and Laureen’s Scentsations really validate what the fair is all about. She also noted that the influx of new vendors this year is a sign more people are moving into the community and starting their own businesses.
“There are new people in the community who are artists, jewellery makers and lots of people who are very creative,” Morton said. “I’ve got vendors like Hidden Creak Leather which does leatherworks, the Magic of Q which is a high-end jewellery maker, Veracis Meditation, Wellness & AromaSpirit Botanics and Kliewer Kraut.”
Set up outside will be food trucks including Molly’s Fish and Chips and Ivy’s Enchiladas for those looking to grab a meal. For entertainment, Morton said that Raising the Barre Academy of Dance, Tracy Lynn and the Baladi Babes Belly Dance Troupe will all take turns on stage to provide “a lot of energy in the building.”
In addition to the local businesses and entrepreneurs, Morton said that Interior Health and the South Cariboo Mental Health Association will be attending for the first time. She’s hopeful that this year the community will come out in droves to support both the fair and the vendors.
“The community should know there’s a lot of vendors (in town) with a lot to offer. I also want to thank all the vendors for coming because we couldn’t do this without them, they’re really engaging,” Morton said.
