– by Bob Thompson –
Family and community are the heart of the Peninsula Country Market. On Saturday, August 16th, the market celebrates its connection with the community in hosting the Fourth Annual Central Saanich Family Festival in partnership with the Saanichton Village Association (SVA), Seafirst Insurance and CIBC. The market will be an extra-lively place to be with the addition of special activities including bouncy castles, games for kids and special prizes. Music goes country with market faves Chick Wagon.
This day is about community. Several community groups will be at the market talking about how they support the community, including the SVA, 10th Tsartlip Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization and the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable. The market also recognizes that local businesses are an integral part of our community and appreciates the support they offer to the festival. Not only are Seafirst Insurance (thanks to Dan Olive for organizing the day) and CIBC primary sponsors, other local businesses are donating prizes for the festival.
August is a busy month at the Market. The market month begins on the August long weekend (August 2nd) with Bag Day – we’ll be giving away 100 Market cotton shopping bags. Habitat Acquisition Trust makes a return visit and the Compost Education Centre joins our Growing Families at the Market program table. August 9th is Meat Day at the Market, a tasty celebration of our farm vendors’ meat products – including beef, pork, lamb, chicken and seafood – featuring sauces and rubs from our food vendors. You’ll also be able to purchase local wines to pair with your protein purchases. Have no fear, there’ll be lots of veggies too, including fresh-picked corn from Sluggett Farms. Saving the best for last, come to the market on August 23rd and have fun testing out the new Saanich Peninsula Flavour Trails zucchini racetrack in preparation for the historic Saanich Fair. There is no market the weekend of August 30th as the fair midway takes over the market field.
The Peninsula Country Market runs every Saturday morning at the Saanich Fairground from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from June through Thanksgiving. For the latest news about what’s happening at the Market, visit www.peninsulacountrymarket.ca.
