Families flocked to Main Street Kitscoty as Farmstead Market & More hosted an Outdoor Market on August 1.
“We’re such a small town; we need to support one another in order to grow and sustain,” said owner Angie McLean. “This is the fourth summer we’ve been doing it, and it’s a way of bringing people out to visit and supporting their local makers. Our store was created to give smaller businesses an opportunity to sell without having to purchase a retail spot themselves because you can’t always do markets.”
Vendors ranged from 9 years old to retirement age and covered a multitude of products.
Brenda Rose began her sublimation business, Salty B’s Creations, three years ago and said attending markets in Kitscoty has been worth it for the atmosphere and the people. Natalie Charlton from Swiss Miss Creations shared a range of fabric and paper crafts. After giving up working on cattle wagons, Bob Thomas began distributing maple syrup as a semi-retirement job with Erabliere Le Murmure du Printemps from Dunham, Quebec. Dave Rechlo from Blackfoot showcased 80 different products such as wallets, belts, leashes, holsters, and book covers with Dave’s Kustom Leather, and said he’s expanding all the time with various requests.
“One wallet could be carved in five hours, but it could take eight with painting, or more if laced with every stitch done by hand,” said Rechlo.
Local students had a booth fundraising with chocolates and water spikes for Kitscoty High School. The whole region was represented with Charlotte Harwood from McLaughlin sharing her Krazy Kat Lady - Bannock and Baking. Cori’s Cookie Shop by Corinna and Terry Brisbourne, displayed a variety of sweet treats including their specialty decorated sugar cookies. They noted that they take custom orders for events.
A highlight was chair massages by RMT and NKT, Katie Hines, from Clary Sage Wellness right in Kitscoty. Practicing for 15 years, she used to play hockey with the U of C, and thought it would pair nicely with sports. She had been encouraged to come out by her 9-year-old entrepreneur son, Roscoe, who sold popcorn and candy to raise funds for a hoverboard.
“I wanted to come to the Outdoor Market again because of all the excitement there is,” said Roscoe.
Barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers allowed families to stay throughout the evening and peruse all the different vendors. They often have live entertainment or an open mic on their licensed patio. Children often enjoy playing, getting their face painted, or grabbing an ice cream from Main Street Scoops.
The Outdoor Markets will also run on August 15, and 29, and there will be a Harvest Market on September 12.
“Since May four of our Outdoor Markets have been cancelled due to rain, and last week we went ahead with it even though it was raining as we set up; so today’s been gorgeous with a steady stream of people. Thank you to the vendors for continuing to come out (even on the bad days), and to the people who came to support our community,” said McLean.