Women and their achievements are the main highlights at the fourth annual Cariboo Women’s Fair Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 held at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre.
“This is an amazing weekend celebrating women in business locally and from afar and just a chance to bring women and the community together for a lot of fun, to do a little bit of shopping and to have a nice experience together,” says community programs and special events co-ordinator Deanna Deacon.
Friday night is the “community favourite” Ladies Night. Women over 19 are invited to come out, see some live music and local talent, all while treated to wine and cheese samples. The cost is $10 and local acoustic talent and dancers will be on display. The evening starts at 5 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.
“I hope they come away feeling enlightened or exuberant or inspired from this amazing local talent,” says Deacon. “Just having fun and community and feeling connected to the other women in the community. It’s the type of experience that you walk in and see a bunch of women that you know, whether or not you are good friends, you know who they are, so you get to walk in and chit chat and catch up. It’s just a chance for the whole community to come together.”
Saturday will see a public marketplace, open to everyone, starting at 10 a.m. and going until 3 p.m. as well as a variety of wellness workshops, held throughout the day, and are new to the fair this year. The workshops teach skills from floral arranging and nutrition to yoga and belly dancing.
“Anyone who attends a wellness workshop, I want them to walk away feeling as if they have learned something, they’ve educated themselves, or they’ve had an experience that they wouldn’t have had otherwise,” says Deacon.
The workshops cost $15, however, that $15 provides entry to as many workshops as someone is able to attend. Interested participants are able to register ahead of time with Deacon at 250-395-1353 or at ddeacon@icesports.com or at the arena on the day of. Space is limited.
“As for the public marketplace,” says Deacon. “I want people to understand how much talent there is here. How many amazing resources we have, how many amazing women we have here and to just have fun. To experience a big event like this here in 100 Mile.”
The marketplace is free and is open to everyone. Over 50 vendors will have their wares on display.
“I am so impressed with the quality and variety of our vendors this year. When I look through my list I think wow, there are hardly any duplicates. Sometimes you have all jewellery or all makeup, that kind of thing, but it’s such a nice variety. There’s just a lot of amazing talent here,” says Deacon.
Everyone who comes to the fair will also have their name entered in a door prize to take home some goods donated by the vendors.
“We have everything from clothing to make-up to jewellery to health and fitness to skin care to a local author, to kids care and pet care. Everything.”
But, Deacon says she doesn’t want people to just rush through the event.
“Come and be ready to relax and enjoy and actually be there. It’s not just about walking through quickly and thinking, okay, that was great. Have conversations and explore what these businesses do and how they might be able to offer something or serve something to you.”
The fair also serves to feature local business women.
“There’s an amazing number of women who are willing to put in the time and energy and hard work that it takes to be an entrepreneur, to run a business, to follow her own dreams and this is a chance to support them, as well as to acknowledge them, as well as to showcase to other women in the community that this is something you can do as well. If you have a dream that you want to come to fruition, here are over 50 women that you can have a conversation with that can support you in following that dream”
For more information and to see a schedule of events check out the fair’s Facebook page by searching Cariboo Women’s Fair 2017 or via the Canlan Ice Sports website: www.icesports.com/southcaribooreccentre/events.aspx.