The Sundre Community Centre was packed with people eager to see what was in store for this year's Christmas Farmers' Market on Sunday.
Vendors were selling everything from Christmas crafts to cookies, pies, jam, jewelry, food, stained glass, honey, skin products and books.
Sundre residents, as well as out-of-towners, browsed the tables for Christmas gifts or to pick up a few things for themselves, as Melony Gibbs and Christina Crouch performed Christmas songs.
“I came to look and buy some Christmas presents,” said Kathleen Lugg from Bergen.
Ann Reimert, also from Bergen, said she was there to Christmas shop and pick up some baking.
Sonja Brundage and Doreen Zatylny, both Sundre residents, said they attend the event every year. They enjoy visiting and browsing the merchandise laid out on the tables.
Joe and June Kanderka from Three Hills were selling stringed freshwater pearls.
“I've been doing this since 1990. I get all my pearls directly from a farmer in Beijing,” said June.
“He raises them in mussels and he has all kinds of pearls. He lets them grow up to seven years for some of them because they're bigger.”
Alfred Schmutz was selling honey made on his farm about 10 miles southwest of Sundre.
He has been beekeeping in the Sundre area since 1985 and has been attending the Sundre market since 1997.
“When I started in Sundre initially I had 400 hives and now I'm down to about 60,” said Schmutz.
“This market here is incredible. I wish other towns' would be as strong as this.”
It is important for him to support the farmers' market each year and he enjoys the direct contact with clients, he said.
“The farmers' market movement for me is so dear to my heart.”
Ann Ziegler was selling gloves, scarves, dishcloths and other items she has knitted and crocheted. It was her third year participating in the Sundre market.
She has been knitting and crocheting for about 50 years.
“It relaxes me. I love to do crafts,” said Ziegler.
Bear claws, truffles, coconut chews, peanut butter cups and more were also available from Bob Big Boy Chocolate.
Bob came from Torrington to attend the market and said he enjoys creating his own version of popular chocolate treats.
The Sundre Christmas Farmers' Market will be held again in December.
