For the November 21 Bentley Christmas Farmers Market the weather was unseasonably good.
Well over 40 vendors with a wonderful variety of goods for sale, many homemade and unique, were set up in the main hall of the Bentley Ag Centre. There was stitchery, baking, jewelry, crafts, artwork, candy, decorations, gift ideas and much more.
Many were regular Bentley Farmers Market vendors and some were new. Many had specialty items for the Christmas season on display.
As a fundraiser the Bentley Library Society offered a hot noon lunch that included homemade chilli and cold slaw with buns and pickles. There were desserts for the sweet tooth too.
“The chilli sold well considering (the attendance) but the sweets didn’t hardly sell at all. Just the punch and the muffins (went well),” commented Valerie Anderson, one of the Bentley Library Society volunteers helping serve the society’s lunch.
In the back of the hall, the Bentley curling club was offering their raffle tickets for sale and the Forshee ladies Outlet Get-Together Club had their Bentley 2015 Centennial cook books for sale.
People in attendance commented how they enjoyed the festive music. Rick Moore and wife Suzanne Moore from Bentley, withAudrey Graham from Red Deer on keyboard, provided the musical entertainment on stage.
“Yes, the entertainment was very good. Everyone seemed to enjoy it,” stated Anderson.
The Farmers Market board could have accommodated more vendors at the back of the hall but the main hall was full. The market was open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sales appeared low though. Many agreed a disappointing number of shoppers went through.
Some other places have also reported less in sales this year. There is always competition with other Christmas markets at this time of year and some think it is a result of the downturn in the economy.