Have some fun while getting a jump on your holiday shopping and supporting small local businesses as well as contributing to a good cause — all in one place.
Cristina Miniace is inviting everyone to attend the Lovin’ Fall Market at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre, 125 Simcoe Rd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, from which a portion of proceeds will be donated to the local charity, A Bradford Christmas.
The market is set to feature about 20 different vendors selling products and services, some of which include: baked goods, crystals, stones, crafts, custom jewellery, vinyl records, beef jerky, hand-made blankets, 3D printing, life insurance and financial advice.
“I wanted my market to be a place where the community of Simcoe can get together,” Miniace said. “There’s so much talent within Simcoe and so much people have to offer.”
As the organizer, she wanted to put a focus on the many smaller and home-based businesses in the area that some people may not even know exist, while also giving those entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their best products for people to come and see in-person, not just online.
The market is also set to feature a raffle with prizes including tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and Reptilia Zoo, coupons for Toys ‘R’ Us, plus donations from some of the vendors.
Tickets for the raffle are planned to be available at the market, but the exact price has yet to be determined and Miniace said she wanted to keep it fair for those attending while still helping to meet her goal of donating $500 to A Bradford Christmas and their campaign for this year supporting Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka.
That has already included the launch of their annual toonie jar initiative in July followed by Bowling Palooza in September — all as part of their goal to raise $100,000 for Gilda’s Club, a charity dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer.
Beyond helping local businesses, Miniace explained she wanted the market to have a greater purpose, and knew she could trust Sarah and Emily Dahlgren, organizers of A Bradford Christmas, based on their reputation from years of charity work in town.
“These girls are so hard working and so dedicated,” she said. “They’ve grown so far from where they’ve started to a full-blown registered charity.”
On top of that, Miniace said she’s no stranger to the impacts of cancer.
“I’ve had family who have passed from cancer, so cancer is not something new for me,” she said. “I see what family have gone through.”
With past experience, Miniace explained she’s returning to organizing in-person markets after taking a break of about four years while raising her two young children and also striving with her own small business, Elite Custom Designz.
“I’m just hoping everyone has a nice sense of love, community and warmth,” she said of the market. “Just to know that we are all here and we’re all able to lend a helping hand.”
Admission to the market is free for children younger than 12 or $2 for those 12 and older, and can be paid in cash at the market or purchased in advance through the Eventbrite page.
While it varies, some vendors are expected to be cash only, and some may also accept email transfers or cards.
Free gift bags are planned to be available for the first 25 guests — limited to one per adult per family.
