Wakamow Valley To Offer Farmer's Market - Food Truck Friday
For people who like getting outside on Saturday mornings there is a new farmers market come to town.
In an effort to raise funds for the operation of the park the Wakamow Valley Authority is set to offer an outdoors farmer’s market every Saturday morning as well as on special evenings commencing May 29th from 8 am to 1 pm at the Kiwanis Lodge Pavilion (Speed Skating Oval) in the beautiful Wakamow Valley.
The new event, like so many other efforts throughout the community, is COVID - 19 aspired as a means to bring in the funds to run the outdoor jewel of Moose Jaw.
“It is something new that we are trying. We haven’t been able to do any fundraising this year because of COVID so this is it,” Todd Johnson general manager for the Wakamow Valley Authority said.
Johnson said COVID - 19 has impacted the Authority’s ability to raise funds as such things as the hall and pavilions cannot be rented due to the restrictions. Where funds could be raised through rentals for weddings and other events of the Sportsman’s Centre the COVID restrictions means this income is lost.
“It is really tight for us (financially) since we cannot have any events,” Johnson said.
In order to hold an event which will attract the community to use the park as well as stay within the COVID 19 health restrictions a farmers’ market was a logical choice, he said.
Johnson pointed out when coming up with the idea for the outdoor markets they looked at it not just as a much needed fundraiser but also to give residents another reason to come and visit the park and make use of it.
“It is a great thing to come down to the market and see what the vendors have to offer, perhaps buy a coffee and sit down and relax or explore the park. Its a place where you can bring your kids and let them play with the added advantages of things to do as well as washroom facilities,” he said. “Come out on a Saturday morning and see what we have to offer.”
Asked about the market’s ability to draw more people to the park Johnson said it is a natural fit.
Wakamow last year saw a major increase in the usage of the park as people were not travelling because of the pandemic. This year the numbers of people is increasing as many people have become aware of what the park has to offer. He sees the market not only drawing more people to the park with its wide open spaces but also offering the opportunity to shop for various items and then just enjoying the park.
Another potential draw Johnson sees for the market is the campground where there is the hopes people staying there will come over and take advantage of the market.
“Here people have lots of room to spread out and be properly socially distanced and maybe sit on a bench and just enjoy a coffee in the great outdoors…come out and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.”
The market was announced on Wednesday on Wakamow’s social media and has had a very positive response, he said.
“Since we announced it we have been getting calls asking about it and how to become vendors. There has been a lot of positive response to it.”
As far as the vendors go Johnson said the park is open to anyone coming down and offering goods, food or whatever. The range of items he hopes is diverse and also what buyers are looking for.
“We are looking for anyone who can come down and set up a booth. We live in a diverse city and we don’t want to discriminate what vendors decide to offer.”
Although there are other famers’ markets operating in the city - most notably on Langdon Avenue - Johnson said there is room for all and envisions many people visiting both markets to check out what they have to offer.
There is no membership cost to join the farmers’ market just a flat $15 fee every Saturday.
“We are hoping for 40 vendors we think we can meet that and it can be very exciting,” he said.
In addition there will be a limited number of electrical connections vendors may utilize as well as plenty of space for the market to grow.
On top of the Saturday morning markets Wakamow will also offer five night markets with the evenings for the markets yet to be determined based upon what the vendors and customers would like to see.
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
With the permanent closure of the ever popular Burger Cabin last year Johnson said Wakamow is not only looking at hopefully having vendors but also food trucks selling at the market with the Authority planning to offer a Food Truck Friday.
Food Truck Friday is slated to be when people can come down to the park during lunch break on Friday’s and purchasing a great meal and enjoying eating it in the park.
“We are hoping to bring people down there and fill that void left with the Burger Cabin’s closure,” he said.
Johnson said it will be a tough void to fill but there are hopes by offering alternatives it will not only offer a service people are looking for but also be an attraction to the park.
Both the outdoor farmer’s market as well as the Food Truck Friday will be strictly observing the public health rules and regulations in relation to COVID - 19 restrictions.
FOR MORE INFORMATON - please call (306) 692-2717 or email wakamow.events@sasktel.net .