The Parksville Museum has announced it will reopen for the 2018 season on May 26. But visitors streamed to the museum grounds for a sneak preview as it rolled out its new MidIsland Public Market Sunday, May 6.
The new farmer’s and artisan’s market will be held each Sunday through the end of September, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday’s opening market drew just more than 20 vendors and shoppers could hardly wait to get at them, said co-director Trish Moroto.
“People were lined up outside at 12 o’clock,” said Moroto, who runs the market along with Connie Kuramoto and Titia Jetten. “It was incredible; it was packed. I’m blown away by the support we’ve gotten.”
Moroto said a dozen vendors have already signed up for the entire market season, while others have reserved blocks of time and will fill additional booth space in rotation. She said participation is expected to exceed 30 vendors.
The market offers a range of fresh organic produce from local farmers, artisan breads and cured meats, international foods and delicatessen, local artists, crafts, music and local wineries, breweries and distilleries. Moroto said three full-time farmers have committed to attending each market.
There will also be live music each week, to give it “an outdoor concert feel.” Classic folk/rocker Dazy Daye performed at Sunday’s opening market.
Beginning with the museum’s seasonal opening, most or all of the museum’s buildings and features will also be avialable to market-goers, and blacksmith demonstrations are scheduled to run each Sunday afternoon to coincide with the market.
Moroto asked that market guests not park at the nearby Visitors’ Centre. Parking is available at the Heritage Centre, just across Northwest Bay Road.
The museum will host its 2018 grand opening on Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coffee and cake will be served until noon or until the cake runs out, whichever comes first. Visitors young and old are invited to explore the unique heritage buildings located throughout the museum grounds and discover the area’s interesting history through its exhibits and photographs.
For the 2018 season, the Parksville Museum will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from May 26 to end of September.
For more information and events, visit parksvillemuseum.ca or go to the museum’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/parksvillemuseum. For information on the Mid-Island Public Market, go to www.midislandpublicmarket.ca.
— NEWS staff and Parksville Museum release
