Vancouver Island craft fairs? Resources

[Kuruku]

I am trying to find online resources listing upcoming craft fairs on southern Vancouver Island and can't find a bloody thing. Is there a newsletter that anyone knows of? Or a good online resource?

[Scream-a-little]

have u tried the tourist information sites for each town/city? they may be a source of info.. i'm in victoria & i really don't know of any online source.. one site is vicfun.com ... occasionally they have things in there.. also during the summer months, duncan seems to have fairs just about every weekend.. hope those are a few ideas that help.. scream-a-little

[thequeenjane]

I know, I'm trying to find some too.  I just moved to Nanaimo from Port Alberni.  The only thing that I can think of is local farmer's markets.  I know the one in Port is kinda half veggies and stuff and half crafted goods, so things might be along the same lines in other towns.  If you find something, let me know.

[minouette]

Hello-

I moved to North Saanich (north of Victoria) a couple of years ago and have been keeping my eyes peeled. I'm afraid I don't know of anything on-line. But there are all sorts of craft fairs around here. In Sidney in the summer time they have a weekly market. They shut down the main drag (it's a very small town) and people set up stalls to sell their wares and there are always great crafts/handmade items. They seem to have a craft fair ever season at the Mary Winspear centre, also in Sidney. There are lots of opportunities in Victoria in the summer time (i.e. Bastion Square and Chinatown markets) for selling handmade items.

The art supply store Opus in Victoria has a newsletter which lists a lot of arts (but not necessarily crafts) related events and opportunities.

Maybe a motivated crafter should set  up a website? 

[ritchierich8]

There is something called RV Times that might help.  I think if you just google RV Times Craft Fairs Vancouver Island you should get a link.  I hope it works for you!

[wolfwidow]

trying to find an all inclusive list for the southern vancouver Island area too. Times/Colonist is a good source as twice a year they put out an Island Event pull out but I don't know when the Spring Summer is due to come out and I can't find it online yet.
Here are some I know of
Check the events pages of the Rec Centers ie: Pearkes Arena, Commonwealth Pool
Check the municipality webpages. I know Oak Bay, Sidney have weekly summer markets.
Saanich Fairgrounds has a summer market & craft fairs
Summer Markets that I know of
Goldstream Station Market they close Bren Mauer Rd on Saturday from 10am - 3pm
Moss Street Market
James Bay Market
Government Street Market (now held in Centennial Square) this is by Chinatown
Bastion Square Market
Inner Harbour Night Market
Victoria Flea Market and Craft Fair at the Da Vinci Center thru the winter
Langford Legion has craft fairs now and again
Winter market in Langford as well
if you just do a Google search under the names you should find them.
Also check the events spots of Craigs List, Used Victoria & Kijiji
Oh and Western Speedway thru the summer has flea market,crafter you name it market on Sundays thru the summer not sure when it starts. It's an early start event you have to get there by around 6am to get a spot and it's first come first served.

Buccaneer Days held June 9th & 10th this year has a crafters market inside the curling rink. Still tables available however jewerly quota has been filled (waitlist tho). to contact the organizer email to info@yahoo.com">buccaneerdaysvendor info@yahoo.com.
That's all I know. Good luck and if you find others please let me know. Cheers everyone happy crafting.