YORKTON – The seventh annual Yorkton Christmas Shopping Blitz Trade Craft & Bake Sale took place Nov.18 at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre.
The event, organized by Brandice Derks, featured upwards of 70 vendors, most of whom were local hand-makers.
Derks, a native of the parkland, has been organizing the event for the past seven years in Yorkton. “I do this show and then I do the Melville one — the Melville one is my 10th annual this year,” she added.
The event typically draws a crowd, with an average of about 1200 people attending each year. “This is the largest Christmas show in Yorkton for the Christmas season,” said Derks.
Derks, who is also a vendor, started the trade show because she wanted to create a well-advertised event that would attract a large audience. “I used to be a vendor — I still am a vendor,” said Derks. “I just decided to take it on myself because I know the community and I know a lot of people … my job is advertising and social media … so I kind of knew how to bring the people in."
The event has proven to be popular among vendors, with over 40 returning for each show. “I have over 40 vendors that come back every single show because this is their big one of the year,” Derks shared.
The trade show provides a platform for local vendors to showcase their products and gives residents a unique shopping experience during the holiday season.
“We do raffle prizes — all the vendors donate raffle prizes,” said Derks. The proceeds from these raffles go to SIGN [Early Years Resource Centre], a local organization dedicated to supporting children and families.
