Long-time vendors and founders of the St. Albert Farmers' Market will take the stage to be honoured at this weekend's 30th anniversary celebration.
Roughly 15 businesses will be recognized for having taken part in Western Canada's largest outdoor market for more than 20 years – some have been setting up their booth for the full 30 years.
“We've had some just wonderful vendors who've been there and all their customers love them. They come every week just to buy their stuff,” said Lynda Moffat, president and CEO of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce.
Three vendors have been selling their goods from the very beginning.
Martin Wurz works booths 15 and 17 every Saturday to provide shoppers with various vegetables, crafts and some seasonal fruits.
“It's a part of business and at the same time, the farmers' market is fun,” he said. “You meet different people. It's lively there and it's good to be there.”
When he first started selling his goods, he said there was a gap in the amount of young people shopping the various booths. However, he said this has improved over the years.
“You see younger generations come more to the market,” he said. “I don't think that years ago that used to be – they would be too tied up with work or whatever, but now they're taking time off on the weekends to go out and come to the farmers' market. It's nice.”
He said after 30 successful years, there are no plans to stop selling at the market.
Cassie Pasnak has been coming to the farmers' market since it began and started selling 23 years ago with booth partner Henriette Phalempin.
“When the farmers' market first opened in St. Albert many, many years ago, Henriette was there and I asked if we could share the table,” Pasnak said. “We've been sharing for many, many years now.”
The pair sells fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, preserves, kitchen linens and various knit items.
Pasnak said over the years, more and more vendors have started setting up booths, offering shoppers a wider range of products.
“There's so many more vendors now. There's absolutely everything,” she said. “It's a one-stop buy all.”
For Pasnak, this will likely be her last year at the market as she and her husband have retired and business is starting to wind down. She said, however, that Phalempin would likely continue well into the future.
The third vendor to be recognized for an outstanding 30-year commitment to the market is Werner Frenzel who sells flowers and vegetables at booths 132 and 134.
Founders and supporters of the St. Albert Farmers' Market will also be honoured during the ceremony.
“We're going to be thanking the past presidents and the past chairs of the chamber of commerce who, for 30 years, have nurtured this farmers' market along,” Moffat said. “I'm sure they could never have even dreamed of what it became.”
The event kicks off at 9:15 a.m. with a bagpiper leading the long-time vendors and local dignitaries through the market grounds to the corner of St. Anne and St. Thomas streets, where the ceremony will take place.
A short ceremony will be held before the horn sounds, signaling the market's opening.
“We hope that people will come down and enjoy their day,” Moffat said. “It's really become a part of the culture of St. Albert, a very big part I think. It's loved by everyone who lives here.”
The chamber documented the market's 30-year run and is in the process of putting together a book detailing the history of the market, which began in 1982. She said she expects the book to be available in September.
