INNISFAIL – There’s a new attraction in town. And it’s outdoors on Main Street and creating a buzz.
The new Market on Main, designed in collaboration between the Town of Innisfail and the Sundance Producer's Market, held its first of four outdoor markets on Main Street, between 50th and 51st avenues, on Aug. 18.
It’s a four-week pilot project that will run every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. until Sept. 8.
“The idea is that we include the local shops that are located here down on Main Street, as well as our many local vendors, and that way we are supporting the business community as a whole,” said Nicole Nakamura, co-manager of the Sundance market, who is from Bowden and is the owner of Fresh Harvest Farms.
“When you do come out to the market be sure to stop in and browse through those shops,” she said. “It is a great way to let people know what businesses are on Main Street and what they have to offer.”
Kane Williams, the town’s recreation program coordinator, said the Market on Main pilot project has been on the town’s Strategic Plan since 2018, and discussions between the town and Sundance to finally get it started began earlier this year.
“We told them (Sundance) that we had this earmarked as a goal and asked if they were interested in collaborating,” said Williams. “We want to encourage people to come and spend some time on Main Street.”
He said the town will be carefully reviewing how the new Market on Main is received by the public, and how it impacts local downtown businesses. If all goes well during the pilot project it could go again next year, said Williams.
However, the first Market on Main on Aug. 18 attracted a respectable 22 vendors, including Wren Originals, a local dress making business.
“It’s wonderful,” said owner Anna Lenters, who also attends the market in Gleniffer Lake every Saturday. “People are going to have fun. It’s good for community spirit. We are going to see everybody here today.”
For more information on Market on Main contact Williams at the Town of Innisfail at 403-227-3376, ex. 217, or Shirley Lentz, co-manager of the Sundance market, at 403-318-6429.
