2025 Market Manager Report

Armstrong, November 1, 2025

Dear Vendors and customers of the Armstrong Farmers’ Market,

Thank you for another fantastic season! I’d like to extend my gratitude to the Board for their ongoing support throughout the year—it truly made a significant difference.

Special thanks to Helen for collecting market fees, Steve for managing the BCAFM Coupon Program so efficiently, and Tim and Cathy Moore for helping me set up the market every Saturday morning. And of course, a big thank-you to Marij for joining me at the fairgrounds so early every weekend.

I also want to thank Marij for serving as our First Aid attendant. She had to step in on a few occasions, and those involved were grateful that she was there!

Although they aren’t here today, I also want to acknowledge Parks & Recreation—especially Juli Nordstrom—for their unwavering support.

General Overview

During this market season, we received over 150 applications. Some applicants did not follow through, while others failed to comply with our rules and regulations. To maintain product diversity, I placed some vendors on a waiting list to prevent having too many selling similar products. By rotating vendors, I tried to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to participate. Ultimately, 133 vendors attended the market at least once.

On average, we hosted just over 46 vendors per market day (compared to 42 in 2024), filling 54 spots (50 in 2024). The fairgrounds offer 70 vendor spaces, and at times, this required me to turn away applicants due to space limitations.

This season, we had an average of 56 seasonal vendors, filling 65 spaces.

This year I was especially pleased to see several young vendors join us this season. It was wonderful to welcome new products and crafters, many of whom became regulars. It was equally heartwarming to see our long-time vendors return.

Together, we put Arthur Cayford in the spotlight for being a vendor for over 45 years! He was also recognized for initiating and managing the winter market for many years. Above all, as a vendor, he is an important and cherished member of our market family!

Social Media

For the second year, Mika Artemis managed our social media, ensuring weekly posts on Facebook and Instagram, along with regular social shares. She also maintained the Armstrong Farmers’ Market website, posted vendor information and designed the online application form.

Marij provided Mika with weekly photos and videos—often themed—which Mika turned into engaging social media posts on the same day.

We’d like to thank Mika for doing a great job! I’m happy to announce that Mika will continue as our Social Media Manager for the next season!

Entertainment

We enjoyed a wonderful mix of performers this season, including several returning musicians, requested by both vendors and customers. Both vendors and visitors appreciated the lively musical atmosphere—even if their tastes sometimes differed. The musicians shared that they loved performing at the market and valued its warm, welcoming, and generous environment.

If you have any suggestions for musicians or other performers, please let me know, and we’ll do our best to schedule a performance at the market.

Special Events

National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21)

Unfortunately it was one of the few markets that day with really bad weather so we cancelled the celebration and planned to pay special attention to

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day (September 30)

We celebrated on September 27, with a welcome and blessing from Edna and Loreen Felix of the Splatsin Band. This gesture was deeply appreciated by both vendors and customers.

Mushroom and Wild Foraging Market

Tonya, Erik, Heather, Mikaela, Willow, and Phoenix organized this themed market at Highland Park Elementary School, highlighting wild and homegrown mushrooms, edible plants, wild lemonade, and educational displays. The event drew a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Bee Market

Unfortunately we didn’t have a bee market, since the same Saturday it was planned there was a beekeepers’ conference that the organizers attended.

Tuesday Market

We held a Tuesday Market in August from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Considering it was the first (and only) one, attendance was strong, with 26 vendors participating. Both vendors and customers said they enjoyed the event, and several vendors mentioned that their sales were “good enough.” We believe the Tuesday Market was a success and worth repeating.

Unfortunately, the fairgrounds—or another suitable location—were not available at the time, but we will certainly try to organize a few more Tuesday Markets in the upcoming market season.

Cooperation with Other Events

Garden Club

Each year, the Garden Club joins us with many booths (and plants) on the west side of the market. It is always a well-attended and popular market!

Metal Fest

To accommodate vendors and customers during the busy season, we relocated to Highland Park Elementary School. Since both the Metal Fest and the market have grown, we believe this was a good decision for everyone.

Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede (IPE)

Unfortunately, we were unable to use the fairgrounds for four weeks due to the IPE. While this is unavoidable, it is not ideal that vehicles and containers often remain in the market area after the event, forcing us to adjust the layout and limit the number of available spots.

Harvest Pumpkin Festival

It is always a pleasure to collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce on the Harvest Pumpkin Festival. Together, we address challenges such as the event’s growing popularity and the increasing number of vendors.

Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations usually set up their booths between the main vendor rows, giving them great visibility as visitors enter. This season, we were delighted to welcome the Curling Club, Fire Smart, Trail Society, Chamber of Commerce, and Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship.

For the first time—and hopefully not the last—we were thrilled to host the Canadian Red Cross, the Okanagan Urban Sketchers group, and the Armstrong Pride Society. Their presence brought even more energy and community spirit to our market!

Wishlist for next season:

We’d love to organize more special events in the upcoming season. In my view, collaborating with vendors (or customers) who are directly connected to each theme is the best way to create meaningful and well-run events. I encourage everyone to share ideas and get involved in planning themed markets.

It would be wonderful if vendors could help organize events such as:

• A heritage-themed market, celebrating all different nationalities and descent

• A corn festival, like the one Marni once organized

• A berry - cherry festival, including a cherry-spitting contest

• A peach festival

• A juniors’ market

• International Literacy Day (September 8)

• ??? Your idea???

And more Tuesday markets!

All in all, I believe we had a very successful season! I’m delighted to continue serving as your Market Manager for the 2026 summer season. I believe the strength of our market lies in our collaboration and the positive atmosphere we create together. This sense of community is what draws both vendors and customers to our market.

Thank you all!

Arnold HoogenboomMarket Manager, 2025 Outdoor Season