Farmers’ market and trade show set to get folks into Christmas spirit

By Lethbridge Herald on December 2, 2021.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Amy Martin, owner of Fluff ’n’ Stuff, spins fresh cotton candy during the opening day of the Big Christmas Farmers Market and Tradeshow on Thursday at Exhibition Park.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge and District Exhibition kicked off their Big Christmas Farmers’ Market and Trade Show on Thursday that will run until Saturday, Dec. 4.

The event has divided the Exhibition pavilion into Santa’s Workshop, the North Pole, South Pole, and Reindeer Run, where attendees can enjoy a multitude of local vendors, a hot cocoa bar, a movie for children, and the opportunity to roast marshmallows in their outdoor fire. 

“This is the first Christmas event we had since we have been able to welcome the public back, and we are really excited to be able to bring the community together right before the holiday season and to do so safely,” said Mavisha Maistry, director of marketing and communications with the Lethbridge and District Exhibition. 

Among the many vendors, a first time participant of the Big Christmas Farmer’s Market and Trade Show is Fluff ’n’ Stuff, a family owned and operated cotton candy producer from Raymond, Alta. 

“We have currently 49 flavours right now, that we do all of our spinning and for our live spinning we decided that we wanted to make what we call fluff friends, we currently have a penguin, a pineapple, an owl, a baby Yoda and a Santa hat for Christmas,” said Amy Martin, owner of Fluff n’ Stuff. 

She said her business started over the summer of 2021 and she originally got the idea from one of her eight children who wanted cotton candy for their birthday. She started experimenting with flavours and now has over 40. 

Another venue that is taking part in the Big Christmas Farmer’s Market and Trade Show, is also full of flavour but on the opposite side of the spectrum. Beyond Hot is a producer of hot sauce that carries a broad selection of sauces. 

“We pride ourselves on carrying close to 300 different types this year. Next year in our store we hope to have over 500 types,” said Dylan Lowry, owner of Beyond Hot. 

He said that they love to participate in local markets to feed people’s addiction to hot sauce and get them out of the house. 

“We have kind of a unique following, we call them chili heads so we always have a good show no matter what venue we are doing it in,” said Lowry. 

The Big Christmas Farmers’ Market and Trade Show runs from 1 – 8 p.m. today, and 10 – 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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