Christie Mayall
Special to the Tribune/Advisor
In addition to more vendors than ever, the big news for the Medieval Market this weekend is its new venue.
After about 15 years at the Columneetza Campus the Medieval Market returns to its roots at the Williams Lake Campus of Lake City Secondary on Carson Drive.
This new venue provides more space for the vendors, multiple venues for music and interesting opportunities for street theatre.
This year we are adding a theatrical component to the market, with street theatre being performed by the Lake City Secondary School drama crew.
Town crier Harry Jennings from the Williams Lake Studio Theatre will open and close the market.
We are thrilled to let you know that there will be 89 vendors in 78 booths this year, the most vendors since the heydays of the market close to 20 years ago.
Along with 56 returning vendors, we are happy to welcome 33 new vendors to the market.
There will be local and visiting artisans, artists, and food producers selling paintings, books, leather work, photography, weaving, jewellery, pottery, bird houses, whimsical signs, metal work, wool products, hand made furniture, tarot card and rune readings, herbal and handmade body care products, chocolates, baking, organic vegetables and much, much more.
Live entertainment on two stages, a concession offering hearty soups, wraps, smokes and coffee, round out the event to make it a family friendly community gathering.
Music has been a part of the Medieval Market since its inception, but in the last few years we have built on those beginnings as we realized the potential of music to create a lively atmosphere and bring people together.
The main stage in the Commons will feature Big Lake Symphony Orchestra, Oren Barter, Carmen and Dena, The Cariboo Men’s Choir, Youth Fiddlers, Ebony, Christine Constabel and Sherry Taylor, Jean Wellburn, The Williams Lake Community Band, Brandon Hoffman, Troy Forcier, and LCSS students Lauren, Harry, Jin, and Kevin.
The gym stage will enjoy music by the LCSS Chimes students, Jim Savage with his original mellow grooves on instrumental guitar, Angie Holdal on Chinese Harp, and a variety of student musicians who will perform either on stage or as wandering minstrels.
Come one, come all to the Medieval Market at Lake City Secondary’s Williams Lake Campus on Carson Drive Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. each day.
The Medieval Market is organized entirely by volunteers so all profits go to Lake City Secondary students.
Students working throughout the weekend earn money towards team sports, leadership, drama, music, and the science trip.
The recently established Emerging Artist Awards provide two bursaries, each for $750, for students in financial need who are pursuing a future in the arts.
Assistance is also provided for busing students to Scout Island Nature Centre and teacher volunteers earn money towards extracurricular programs of their choosing.
The musical and theatrical components of the market are generously supported this year by the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake through the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society.
So make a day of it. Come and peruse the market stalls, buy a few Christmas presents, enjoy a hearty lunch, have your fortune told, and listen to the talented entertainers.
Maybe you’ll even win one of the many door prizes donated by the vendors. Random tickets are marked as door prize winners.
If you receive one of these on your way in, you will be able to select one of the door prizes in the display case.
All of this for a $3 admission fee (kids under 12 free).
If you prefer to shop at a quieter time, we suggest coming on Sunday afternoon.
An elevator is available to make the market accessible for all.