Numbers Down But Market Still Going Strong

By Robert Thomas

The numbers weren’t as high as they were in its inaugural year but despite that the Wakamow Valley Market was well worth it in 2022.

“It think we are down (in numbers of people visiting) but it went well again,” outgoing executive director of the Wakamow Valley Authority Todd Johnson said.

Johnson, who is just wrapping up his four year tenure with Wakamow, said the final numbers had yet to be tallied.

“We haven’t got the final totals in but we were averaging right around 35 people (vendors) a market. Our numbers went down as the summer went on and think that is because, for vendors anyways, there was a lot more things to do and people could get out,” he said.

The market started in last year, 2021, and was highly successful as people took advantage of the ability to get outside and explore the outdoors - including the market - as COVID - 19 pandemic restrictions were just starting to be lifted.

“Last year we were averaging about 1,000 (people) and this time about 750 per show (market). Again bigger crowds at the beginning of the market and then as summer wore on everyone had a chance to hit their family reunions, weddings and stuff like that,” he said, adding “750 is still a pretty good number for a Saturday.”

The first ever Wakamow Farmers Market in 2021 - MJ Independent file photo

The market was started as a means for Wakamow to raise extra money to help pay for their programming after losing many other fundraisers as well as rentals at the Sportsmen’s Centre. COVID - 19 pandemic restrictions included larger public gatherings and for a time not even small gatherings including at private homes.

Johnson attributed the lower numbers this year on the lack of restrictions.

“If you take a look at last year it was pretty quiet just coming out of it (pandemic restrictions). The people who were aware of it came to our event because it was outside. So as where before they weren’t going to weddings and things inside…people this year went to the lake, people went to car shows, people went to the multitude of things to do. While last year those things weren’t available to people.

The weather may have also had an effect on attendance and not due to rain but rather due to the extreme heat experienced at various times during the summer, he said.

“It definitely effects which vendors can come out. If you were a baker, or you had candy, or your product that you are selling has to be held at a certain temperature being at any market this summer you would not be able to hold your product at the required temperature. Yeah it was really, really hot.”

The heat played a factor with the market being really busy until noon - when the temperatures were cooler - and then a lull in people coming out from about Noon to closing.

The market also is cyclical with some vendors selling out of their products - wood work - or because of the season - bedding plants for Spring planting. Vendors with produce are only able to attend when they have product throughout the season and customers are actively there at these seasonal times.

“With the heat and if they had a source of water everything (vegetables) this year seemed to grow.”

A good thing about the seasonality is the market changes between five and eight vendors a week keeping the market “a unique and different experience every week” drawing people out to see what is available.

Johnson said at the present time the plan is to have the market back next year for its third year.

“Yeah that is the plan. The (Wakamow Valley Authority) Board needs to decide and the volunteers are in favour of it…It will be up to the new person in charge. But the Board likes the event and we have the volunteer support and really it will be up to the next person.”

Johnson has found a position with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and is now working there while help the new Wakamow executive director make the transition as seamless as possible.

He said the support of the many volunteers who come to help out is not just the lifeblood of the Saturday market but they are also the heart that coming to help out at events and keeping Wakamow pumping.

Johnson said the aim of the market is not to overwork volunteers but to allow them to come and help out when they are able and without them there would be no Saturday morning markets.

“We have some great entrepreneurs in this community supporting our event too. Our volunteers are the cornerstone and we are the ones supporting the entrepreneurs. But without our volunteers it would be a lot harder to do any of the events.”