This weekend is the 55th Annual Roberts Creek Christmas Craft Fair. Fifty-five years! That’s a lot of fairs and for a number of years in the ‘80s and ‘90s Randi Tame and I organised it. It was a much looser affair, not quite as organised as it is today but fabulous never the less. These days, many of the crafts people occupy the same spot year after year. Back then, we reinvented the wheel every time and it was like a giant puzzle, shuffling tables and fitting everyone in. No one paid ahead, I walked around with a big envelope and a small receipt book collecting cash. Trish and Diana cooked up a storm in the old kitchen, there was always soup and stew and the bake sale table was loaded. Randi had a table selling her herbs and I sold a different thing every year. I remember staying up late madly making ginger shortbread, chocolate truffles and lemon curd. No health inspector ever asked for our recipes so we did what we wanted. Security at the Hall was not very tight, everyone and their grandmother had a key, so we had a “guard” who slept over in a sleeping bag in the kitchen. By Sunday afternoon everyone was either giddy or exhausted and we were all drinking “special” coffees. Those were also the days when the Hall manager (me for a while) got paid with a $25 gas credit at Russ and Alex’s Chevron station in Wilson Creek.
Oh so many memories of those past times but we are in a new era and we have Diana, co-ordinator and hall manager extraordinaire, who, with a team of volunteers, keeps things going and here we are at number 55. It’s a tradition. Don’t miss it. Think about that postal strike, what the chances are of you receiving anything you order online, and shop at the craft fair.
It will be open today (Friday ) from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is a kind of nightmare so if you can, get some steps in and walk.
If you are struggling with gift ideas, consider Roberts Creek swag! The community association has sweatshirts, toques and ball caps with a slug logo and fresh from the printers, Roberts Creek T-shirts. Tim Clapp, Creeker native and owner of Reasons to Live Books in Gibsons has made a design just for us and the sneak preview response has been very positive. All of the above will be for sale at the Hall this weekend. Social media advertising will be up soon but in the meanwhile if you would like to make a purchase and can’t make it to the fair contact me ([email protected]) and we can arrange it. All proceeds go to the community association.
The Community Services Thrift Store is putting out a call for volunteers. The thrift store is located in Gibsons but the programs and support offered by Community Services affects everyone. Thrift store sales are one of the ways they fund their services and it’s a great place to volunteer. They need help with sorting, sales and customer service, vintage item research and seasonal projects. Whenever I go in that thrift store there are lots of smiles and everyone there looks like they are having fun. Contact [email protected] for details.
As usual there is some great music at the Legion this weekend. Tonight it’s “The Empty Streets,” an indie rock band with names you will recognize including: Baili Clarke, Cayce Laviolette, Dan Richter, Jenni Groves, Simon Hocking. I have heard this band a few times and recommend this show. 8 p.m. Tickets $15 - $20.
Tomorrow night it’s Elastic Mojo Boogie with Sam Pulpo, Prana Kite and Mieke Jay. 9 p.m. $15- $20.
Just before I finish, I would like to remind you all about the Wednesday Market at the Hall. Don’t forget to stop by for honey, soaps, greens, fudge and other locally produced items. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Okay now for an announcement: The Coast Reporter is going to be looking for another person to write this column. I will do it until the end of the year but then I need to give it up. It’s been fun and I have enjoyed writing, something I never tried before, but it’s time for a new volunteer. If you might be interested, I encourage you to try it. It is intended to be about community events but it is a pretty blank canvas and there is lots of creative potential. If you would like to find out more you can contact Bronwyn Bearisto [email protected] or me, [email protected].
