Annual Christmas Arts & Craft Fair draws hundreds of visitors

Tim Brody - Editor

The Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre was a hub of activity on Dec. 2 as shoppers attended the annual Christmas Arts & Craft Fair presented by the Friends of Cedar Bay.
“I feel it went very well,” shared Friends of Cedar Bay Vice-Chair Joyce Timpson. “We had close to 700 visitors. That did not count the vendors and volunteers. People seemed very happy. They enjoyed the kid’s crafts corner. They enjoyed the spot to sit down.” The kid’s craft corner and rest area were new additions to the event this year. 
Thirty-sex vendors from Sioux Lookout, Hudson, Lac Seul First Nation, Dryden, Kenora, Savant Lake, Dinorwic, Wabigoon, and Thunder Bay attended, showcasing a variety of wares.
A special hour was set aside from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for seniors and vulnerable persons to shop. “We had about 100 people come through that first hour,” Timpson said.
The Christmas Arts & Craft Fair opened to the rest of the general public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We had a good variety of vendors and quite a few new people as well as some veterans,” Timpson said, adding, “People I spoke to indicated they did well and they enjoyed it.”
“We had good feedback from the general public as well. They liked the variety,” she said.
Friends of Cedar Bay Chair Bobbi Roberts also shared, “I heard a lot of great comments from the public about how they were able to find quite a few of their Christmas presents in one spot.”
The event served as a perfect backdrop for other local volunteer groups to fundraise.
Members of the Sioux Lookout Skating Club sold chili as a fundraiser. The Nordic Nomads Cross Country Ski Club held a silent auction fundraiser and members of the Sioux Lookout Gymnastics Club were there selling Christmas wreathes.
“Volunteer groups, we all have to work together. We’re volunteers trying to do things for the community, for children, so it was good to have them there,” Timpson said.
Charging $2 admission at the door, in addition to vendor table rentals, Timpson said funds raised by the Friends of Cedar Bay will go towards children’s programs.
Timpson thanked everyone who attended to shop or as a vendor. She also thanked the Nordic Nomads, Sioux Lookout Gymnastics Club, Sioux Lookout Skating Club, Sioux Mountain Public School who loaned out tables for the event, municipal employees, and everyone who contributed to the event.