A big spring market with an Earth Day focus is planned for the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on April 21 and 22.
More than 150 vendors will be bringing a wide selection of handmade and locally produced items, along with products designed for home and garden.
Vendors will sell organic seeds and bedding plants birdhouses, bird feeders and yard art, along with jewellery, art work, children’s clothing and locally produced agricultural products.
A highlight of the weekend is a workshop focused on solar energy projects for the home.
John Barling, author of a solar energy workbook for B.C. Hydro, will present a workshop with more than 30 projects to build with plans including photovoltaics, distillation, showers, low cost water heaters, food dryers, ovens and more. Tickets will be available at the door.
Other workshops, free with admission to the spring market, include presentations on composting, natural products, growing good veggies, and permaculture gardening.
There will also be free hands-on upcycled craft workshops including teacup gardens, t-shirt tote bags and paper making.
Another feature of the spring market will be a variety of craft demonstrations including silk scarf dying with a Japanese colour drop technique, weaving on a triangular loom and wood carving by indigenous artist Steve Mackie.
Special events planned for Earth Day on Sunday include a unique performance by First Nations Artist Laurent Isadore, who offer Buffalo Wisdom at 12:30 p.m.
Local artist Jenny Long will be live painting.
A variety of local musicians and performers will be on hand both days. The first 50 people on Sunday will receive upcycled shopping bags with treats inside. The first 25 kids will have their faces painted for free bylocal artist Camille Clarke.
Event organizer Laurel Burnham said this is Earth Day disguised as a happy shopping opportunity.
“We are becoming more aware on a daily basis of the effect of human activity on the environment” Burham said. “Its critical that we all become more aware of our planet home.”
The spring market will be held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit www.okanaganmakers.ca.