by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — More than 4,000 people strolled through the Taste of the Valley vendors, browsing, tasting and buying.
“The feedback is it went really well,” said Joy Curry, the lead organizer of the event.
While it may have been a damp start to the day, by 9:30 a.m., the weather had cleared and the grounds began to fill with people.
“The crowd came, the people are happy and the vendors are going home with a lot less than they came with,” Ms. Curry said, adding, “Many of the customers are walking out with full bags.”
She said the farmers market bags began selling as well, because people didn’t come with enough of their own.
Ms. Curry said almost everything at Taste of the Valley is either handmade or homegrown.
“It’s phenomenal to have this much local produce and craft talent in this area,” she said. “I believe so much in buying local and I like to promote the fact that it’s not a big carbon footprint when you’re buying something local that’s not been transported in.
“I appreciate a handmade gift so much more because I know that it’s come from the person.”
This is the event where many people do much of their Christmas shopping, whether it’s for preserves or a handmade gift, Ms. Curry said.
By 1 p.m., the scouts at the front gate, who were also holding Apple Day fundraiser, had clicked in more than 2,000, and that’s not counting those coming in from the side parking lot and the back – it’s just those coming in the front gate, Ms. Curry said.
There were about 115 vendors and this year the Ottawa Valley Food Co-op vendors set up on the ball diamond as a group, she said.
“This is the first year they’ve come as a group,” Ms. Curry said. “Members have come before, but this is the first time as a group. They actually asked to be grouped together.”
While she doesn’t know how many vendors the area allotted for Taste of the Valley can hold, she does know if it’s going to grow, more space will be needed.
The lead organizer for the past five years of the 11th annual event, Ms. Curry believes it may be time to hand the reins over to someone else.
“Maybe we need to bring on more partners and get more people from the community involved,” she said.
She’s hopeful the event will remain in Cobden, as it’s a “good fit.
“The spin-off is phenomenal. Some of the vendors spent the night, which means they have to eat in our restaurants and buy gas.”
Prize Draw Winners
Lester Behm – Grill shelter
Jean Millar – Patio cooler
Blaze Stewart — $50 gift certificate for Cobden Farmers Market
