Wherever we go these days, we are encouraged to “Buy Local” or “Eat Local”. However, the roots of this movement were set down on the Saanich Peninsula by a visionary group of residents nearly 25 years ago when the Peninsula Country Market opened on a sunny Saturday morning in July 1991 at the old Saanich Fairground in the heart of Saanichton. At that time, it was one of only a handful of farm markets in the Greater Victoria area, including the Metchosin Farmers’ Market and Moss Street Market. Now, community markets are scattered across the region from Sooke through Oak Bay and up to North Saanich.
The market opens its 25th season this year on Saturday, June 6, in Pioneer Park in Brentwood Bay as an ongoing community partner in the annual Brentwood Bay Festival (www.brentwoodbay.info). The festival kicks off with a traditional Central Saanich Lions pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. in Pioneer Park, followed by a spirited community parade winding its way through the heart of Brentwood village. The focus then returns to Pioneer Park for a day of family activities and great music, and of course, a vibrant market with over 60 vendors offering a broad range of local products and services including seasonal farm fresh produce, crafts and clothing, food service and much more! The festival is organized by the Brentwood Bay Community Association, the same group that presents Music in the Park on Wednesday evenings in July and August.
The market opens at its usual location on the Saanich Fairgrounds (1528 Stelly’s Cross Road) on the following Saturday (June 13). Drive (plenty of free parking), cycle, walk or take the bus to the market – or even come on horseback! Enjoy a country morning among friends surrounded by the bustle of a country market on a grassy field, your shopping bag bulging with just-picked veggies and homemade bread, enjoying a coffee and sweet treat with friends while tappin’ your toes to market music. Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome – cool water and doggy treats await!
The market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through to Thanksgiving, rain or shine, except for the weekend of the historic Saanich Fair.
