Friday, 3 July 2015

Fort McMurray Hand Crafted Market


Fort Mac Hand Crafted Market is now piloting outdoor markets every other Saturday through the summer at Marine Park Museum!  Join us "where steel meets keel" and find farm-fresh produce, Alberta raised meats, and ready to eat meals. You can shop local for bread, ciders and sweet delights, or treat yourself to handcrafted jewelry, local art, or bespoke clothing.  Vendors vary from date to date so there will be something new and some regulars at each market.

 The Marine Park is a 4 acre site located along the Clearwater River in Fort McMurray’s lower town site on Clearwater Drive. This is the original site of the shipyards where, after spring break up, passengers and freight destined for the north were transferred from rail to ship (or barge). Its unique history also makes it the perfect spot for a market as they are a natural occurrence anywhere trade goods are unloaded and transferred.

Joanna Torguson, President of FMHCMarket, is grateful for the partnership. “It means we don’t have to shut down over the summer and can offer a new opportunity for business growth to our member vendors.” The Museum benefits from the funds raised from space rentals and increased traffic. Funds raised helps them build their programs and rebuild Heritage Park which is still recovering from a devastating flood.

 The community can now enjoy outdoor markets twice as often as dates have been carefully selected so as not to overlap with existing farmer’s markets. There are five more markets planned for the summer: July 4th, July 18th, August 1st, August 15th, and August 29th (which is also the date of the annual Strongman Competition).

FMHCMarket is a grassroots collective of vendors who, primarily, work together create craft shows once each month. Founded in January 2014 to showcase local artisans with cottage businesses. The vision is a handmade only market and a mechanism to help member artisans become more successful.

A big fan of collaboration and community building, Torguson designed the market as a fundraiser that pops up regularly on the first Saturday of the month, except during the summer when the school is closed. As a pop-up, the market can happen at any location hosted by any group that needs easy fundraising. Special markets may pop up anywhere and anytime!

For more information, contact:
Joanna Torguson, President
Fort Mac Hand Crafted Market
780-881-7876

Roseanne Davidson, Executive Director
Fort McMurray Historical Society



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