A three-day artisan market returns to a Nanoose Bay farm for its 12th year this weekend.
The annual Art in the Garden show and market takes place Friday, July 8, until Sunday, July 1o, and will host 107 artists, nine musical performances and five food vendors.
Lesley Seselja, event organizer and property owner, will run the three-day endeavour with the help of her husband Mike.
For this year, the family will have two free shuttle buses to pick patrons up outside both the Nanoose Bay Elementary School and Nanoose Community Centre every 20 minutes, a necessary increase based on attendance numbers from last year which saw more than 5,000 patrons.
“Because we’re on a big farm, it didn’t seem that busy. But it was busy,” Lesley Seselja said. “It was a perfect storm last year – the weather was perfect, COVID restrictions were lifted. And everybody wanted to get out … We’re anticipating it will be a big year this year, too.”
The three-day format for the market, as introduced in 2021, will continue for the foreseeable future, she said, since artisans have asked for several years for her to do so. Last year, she said they finally decided to “go for it” and it worked out well for everyone.
As always, proceeds from the event will go toward the Nanoose Community Services organization which aims to help families, seniors and students in the area.
The event has raised $49,800 over the years, with approximately $11,800 from just last summer’s event. Seselja said, since the beginning, her initial goal was to either raise $30,000 for Nanoose Community Services, or to donate their proceeds for 10 years. As they’ve now exceeded both objectives, Seselja suggested Art in the Garden may find another local organization to “share the love” with and donate to in the future, but for this year, proceeds will remain with NCS.
The Nanoose Bay Art in the Garden will operate from noon to 6 p.m. on July 8, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on July 9, and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on July 10, and will continue to be held at 2525 Northwest Bay Rd. in Nanoose Bay, with a $5 entrance fee.
More information on the event can be found at www.nanoosebayartinthegarden.com.
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mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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