There will be a wide variety of locally-crafted items at the All Sprung Out Market and Workshop Fair this Saturday in Parksville, including the plants, seeds and garden decor of the Backyard Diva.
“That’s going to be a huge one, she (Backyard Diva) is really popular,” said organizer Megan Olsen. “She has over 100,000 likes on her Facebook page.”
Owner of the Duncan company, Kristi Jones, said she has no special secret about how she got so many Facebook likes, she said just posts her backyard adventures and products, and shares others’ and people seem to really like it. Jones sells Heirloom seeds, plants and garden decor and also gives out information at the markets she attends.
This is the third All Sprung Out Market and this will be the first time it fills the Parksville Community and Conference Centre. The two previous years it was held at Nanoose Place.
The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 with $1 of that going directly to FLED — Find Lost and Escaped Dogs on Vancouver Island.
Olsen said the location is more accessible to people and the extra space allows for the free educational workshops, new this year.
People can attend workshops on topics like beekeeping, organic gardening, how to make raw chocolate, healthy eating and rainwater harvesting.
“I think the rainwater is going to be a big one for people, especially if they have wells,” said Olsen of the RDN’s Team WaterSmart Rainwater Harvest Workshop.
The Lockhart Collection will be on stage, demonstrating chalk paint application and tips to refinish furniture as well.
Other vendors include Urchin Bags from Ladysmith. These eco-friendly and trendy bags are made with reclaimed seat belts, used bike inner tubes, scrap vinyl and upholstery material.
Locally, Parksville’s Soak Essentials will be on hand with bath and body products, while French Creek resident Kristin Moon of Marie Moon Textiles will be selling her handmade facecloths and accessories. There will be also be jewelry, baked goods, paintings, photography, pet products, furniture, candles, clothing and much more at the event.
And the Extreme Eatz food truck will keep people filled with energy for shopping.
For a list of the workshop times and vendors attending, visit www.allsprungoutmarket.com or find it on Facebook.