The weather was cold and rainy but spirits were merry and bright at this year's Chemainus Sip & Shop.
Saturday, Nov. 16 saw vendors and visitors from all around North Cowichan and beyond come together at the popular night market and tasting event. Holiday offerings like spiced apple cider and rum and eggnog along with wine and beer kept attendees warm while they perused under the covered tents stocked with holiday gifts, decorations, pet toys, artisan goods and more.
Rachel from Warmland Wonders was on hand with her unique, hand-crafted herbal healing items.
"I make a lot of herbal medicines and I grow and forage as many herbs as I can to make tinctures, teas, honeys, liniments, all the things," she said of her products that make perfect stocking stuffers.
Sharon Brownlow of Dogwood Ridge Soap Factory in Saltair commended the hardy visitors perusing her all-natural, preservative-free goat milk soaps.
"They're really heroes that are coming out today!" Brownlow said.
Michael Pickard of REMAX said his team purchased 20 gift certificates from 20 local stores and let attendees reach into a bag filled with 300 candy canes. Twenty of those candies were marked as winners and those lucky enough to draw one received one of the gift certificates.
"It's our way of trying to show that we shop locally, and we encourage people to use local realtors if they have the opportunity," Pickard said.
He also noted that attendance was impressive despite the weather.
"There's been a really good turn out of the public. A lot of the locals are out, I've talked to people from Lake Cowichan, Victoria, Nanaimo. We can't control the weather but those who are coming out seem to be having a good time."
Rebecca Fothergill of Boo's Bags & More had her positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit on full display. The experienced market vendor came equipped with her own propane heater. She had a booth at last year's inaugural Sip & Shop and found the heater helped with sales as people stuck around her tent to browse and stay warm.
"I could have made so much money charging a buck for five minutes in front of it," Fothergill said with a laugh. When praised for her clever sales strategy, she responded with a smile saying, "Not my first rodeo. You have to be able to weather the storm!"
Despite the rain, smiles lit up the faces of visitors exploring vendors and shops all up and down Willow Street. Guests enjoyed culinary specials, home-baked treats, pastries and crafted concoctions from Vancouver Island wineries, distilleries and breweries.
Annette Brama and her team from Island Pastry Haus were back again for their second year at the Sip & Shop, with goodies galore on offer.
"We specialize in pretzels but for Christmas we've got decorating kits; gingerbread house kits, sugar cookie kits, so you can decorate your own Christmas treats," Brama told the Courier. "And of course, some donuts," she added, referring to another of her bakery's most popular creations.
There wasn't a complaint in sight at the festive event, just jolly people getting into the holiday spirit. Now in its second year, the Chemainus Sip & Shop is poised to become a cherished yearly tradition on Vancouver Island, drawing neighbours and visitors together for a night of festive fun.
