INNISFAIL – The town’s successful weekly block-long market show on Main Street is back on.
This year’s Market On Main, which will be its second full season, started on June 21 but held its official grand opening for 2022 on June 28.
And it was a festive atmosphere. Organizers from the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce, who sponsor the event, brought in accomplished Central Alberta singer and songwriter Randi Boulton to spread the good vibes.
“I played other markets, and I played other events but this is my first time here,” said Boulton, who played piano and guitar during her elegant and often energetic singing performances. “I love it. I love seeing people walk by with a smile on their face, and they're dancing, having a good time, which is a good energy.”
She said children are the ones that make things especially fun for her to perform at markets.
“Kids have no inhibitions when it comes to this. Adults are a little more reserved, and kids just feel the music and they dance and have a good time,” said Boulton, who has been a professional performer for the past 22 years. “And that's super fun. That makes me have a good time.”
Meanwhile, market organizers were thrilled to be back in action on Main Street, which will run every Tuesday this summer until September from 3 to 7 p.m.
Colleen Hovey is the new manager of Market on Main. She is also the manager of the longstanding Innisfail Farmers Market, which runs every Thursday at the Innisfail Arena from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Last week was our soft launch,” said Hovey of the Market On Main on June 21. “Today is our grand opening of the Market On Main and we have a big splash. We had some music and some face painting.”
Hovey said at least 20 vendors came for the June 28th grand opening to offer a variety of products, from fruits and vegetables, soaps, chocolates and much more.
“The vendors are ecstatic to be back doing markets,” said Hovey. “The customers seem to be really excited to be back. And we've seen lots of people wandering through and enjoying themselves and enjoying the music, so it's been really good.”
As for the seemingly ongoing rainy weather and its impact on both local markets, Hovey said customer loyalty has proved itself.
“We still had a decent turnout though even though it was very, very wet out,” she said of a recent Innisfail Farmers Market. “But every week we see more vendors coming in. We see more customers coming. Doing the markets is so much fun. People are excited to be here. I love the atmosphere of it.”
