Bringing the busyness back to the downtown

By Serena Lapointe
 
It might’ve started off a little wet last Thursday for the Fresh Community Market’s Night
Market event in downtown Whitecourt, but it didn’t stay that way. When the booths
opened up at 5 pm, the sky was pouring, and distant rolling thunder could be heard. But
as does any good Albertan, everyone stuck it out and waited, huddled under tents and
sharing a few laughs as they waved others over to join them.
“The weather this year has been questionable for everybody. But we’re from Alberta,
and a little rain doesn’t stop us. We’re still going to do the fun things,” laughed Taya
Barrett, Market Manager for the Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce, as she
huddled under a tent waiting for the rain to stop. By 6 pm, the sun was shining, and
crowds were starting to build up amongst the vendors downtown.
Last year, the Fresh Community Market was a Saturday morning stop every weekend.
This year, Barrett said they decided to try something new. “I remember growing up here,
you could walk down main street, and it was bustling all the time, and now it’s not. It’s
something I want my kids to have, the same way I had it, which is why we brought the
market down here, to make it a hot spot to go and to do all the things.”
Instead of a weekly market, the Chamber chose to offer monthly night markets in the
downtown core, shutting down a couple of streets, lining the area with vendor booths,
and encouraging local businesses to join the fun. She said the feedback has been
amazing. “The support we’ve received from the downtown core has been phenomenal,
which, at the end of the day, is the reason we moved it to the downtown into a night
market: to bring people down to support small businesses. It’s also a good opportunity
for the vendors to participate. We get vendors who come from all over Alberta to be
here. One of our vendors tonight even came from Grande Prairie,” said Barrett.
Benches and tables provided seating opportunities, especially in the intersection where
Addy Watson was playing. “I hope you guys enjoy your shopping and listening to live
music. Thank you for having me,” said Watson, as she began strumming her guitar,
jumping right into a country hit followed by some CCR.
Barrett said seeing the downtown come alive reminded her of what she loved about it
growing up, and the busyness she was hoping to see come back to it. “I think, as
somebody who’s grown up here my whole life, we tend to be the first to complain that
there’s nothing to do, so I think when there are things going on everyone makes a real
valiant effort to show up so that those events can keep happening, and that’s important.”

She said sometimes it feels like society is more destination-focused, where people have
a place to go, and then they leave, and don’t necessarily wander. “I think the night
market can be that kind of destination but also not, because you get to head
somewhere and then just walk around and see people and find new things you weren’t
even looking for. It kind of grabs you instead of you having to grab it. And I love that.”
Barrett and the Chamber folks at the market had a scavenger hunt happening.
Attendees had to visit not only downtown stores, but numerous stores in the community.
Each of the 23 participating stores had a challenge to complete in-house. Once
completed, players received a stamp on their card. With just eight stamps collected,
players could hand in their card for a chance at prizes, including $500 Whitecourt
Bucks.
“We could not do extras like this without our incredible sponsors, including the Town of
Whitecourt and Falcon Rentals. We also have people who sponsor things at each
individual market, and without them all, we wouldn’t be able to offer these things,” said
Barrett. “The whole point of this event is creating a community that supports each other.
We want to make it so that people want to come here and do these things.”
The final Night Market of the season is coming up next month on September 24 from 5
to 9 pm in downtown Whitecourt. Barrett said they are going to pull the autumn vibes up
a notch, starting with live music and some warmth. “We are going to do an open jam
event, so any musical talents can come be part of it. If you sing or you have an
instrument, please come. We’re also going to have one of the town’s big, beautiful fire
pits. We’re going to make it a fall vibe.” She said they also have some secret things in
the works that will be announced soon. “I think the kids are really, really going to love it!”
Barrett and the Chamber thank everyone for making the markets a success, even if the
weather was a bit of a pain at times. “So far this season, The Fresh Community Market
has welcomed over 60 local vendors. By supporting them, you’ve helped a parent put
their child into sports, helped a small business contribute to their household expenses
or helped someone pay for school supplies or training. It’s also helping them invest back
into their business, whether that’s a farmer, maker, baker or creator. It’s helping them
keep doing what they love and helping turn someone’s side hustle into something
bigger. Every purchase matters, and we cannot thank you enough. See you on
September 24!”
TAGLINE:
Following other successful events in downtown Whitecourt, the Chamber decided to
turn its Saturday morning Fresh Community Market into an evening affair, with the goal
of bringing the hustle and bustle back to the community’s downtown core.