Next Saturday should be declared St. Albert baby day, considering the two major sales taking place.
The Elmer S. Gish School Baby and Tot Items Sale goes from 9 a.m. until noon at 75 Akins Drive, followed by the Kinderland Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Servus Credit Union Place.
The Kinderland Market will be the first of its kind, with 80 vendors offering products and services geared to both parents and children.
There will be sales of new and used children’s items by local parents and businesses, and lots of handmade and homemade items.
Some of the businesses will offer children-related services, from music lessons to playschool options and spray tanning (for the moms).
The kids can participate in a colouring contest or visit the sparkle tattoo fairy. Local author Leanne Power has her first book signing for You are sooooo beautiful from 2 to 4 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults. Organizer Zoe Spaans said the St. Albert Guides will sell cookies, and collect baby item donations to give to the local food bank.
“If you are looking to have a bit more of a laid back shopping experience or want to bring the kids along we do recommend that you come after the first hour,” Spaans said.
“And for our shoppers that are bargain hunters and are looking for a good deal, we do anticipate that the line will start forming well before we open.”
While Kinderland is new, the Gish Baby and Tot Items Sale has opened its doors to young parents since 2004.
Co-organizer Ramonde Maxfield said there are about 30 vendors and some businesses offering gently used items for babies and children up to age six. The event attracts about 500 visitors every year.
The sale is held in the school’s gymnasium and admission is $1 for adults.
Maxfield said they also hold a raffle and Gish has its own table selling donated items to fundraise money for the school.
Vendors can also donate items to charity organizations at the end of the sale.
“We try to be the most hospitable we can. We have the free coffee and we roam around the gym and if people carry too much stuff we store it in the office for them,” Maxfield said.
“We try to make it a very pleasant experience for the shoppers.”
