After the cancellation of the two main winter craft fairs on Cortes Island in 2020, both are back, and community excitement is building.

Izabelle Perry of Team Awesome is once again coordinating the Whaletown Winter Bazaar at the Gorge Hall on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. She expects about 25 vendors, with all food being served outside this year.

Donations of baked goods are welcome for the snack tent, with the proceeds going to the Whaletown Community Club, which operates the Gorge Hall.

Exactly one week later on Dec. 11, also from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Mason's Hall Christmas Craft Fair will take place in the south end of the island.

Masks are currently mandatory inside all public places in British Columbia, but that’s the only requirement for customers at these craft fairs in terms of health restrictions. Both events are open to the whole island and are limiting indoor numbers to 50 people, therefore proof of vaccination will not be required. 

One of the vendors participating in both shows is Leyland Dowling, who is known for his handcrafted wooden cutting boards through his business Home Culinary. He said these in-person craft fairs are extremely important for him, both in terms of learning and growing his business, as well as being a large part of his income.

Interested vendors can still reach out to the organizers. For the Whaletown Winter Bazaar, email Izabelle via team.awesome.cortes@gmail.com and for the Manson’s Hall Christmas Craft Fair, reach Mark at mansonshall@gmail.com

Listen to the CKTZ News update below: