Westcoast Impressions Re-brands Markets at the Mary Winspear Centre
Sidney, B.C.; Westcoast Impressions is pleased to announce the return of their popular summer market series in Sidney under the new name and brand of “Westcoast Outdoor Markets”! The Thursday
evening Market and Sunday morning Farmer’s Market will return outdoors at the Mary Winspear Centre beginning on Thursday, June 15 and will run until August 31.
The same experienced, dedicated team from Westcoast Impressions that has been running markets in Sidney for two decades, is behind the success of Westcoast Outdoor Markets. They are thrilled to be once again working with the Mary Winspear Centre and will be bringing back many of the familiar vendors that people expect to see, along with some exciting, new vendors and attractions. There will be a wide range of growers, creators, artists, musicians, food trucks and some direct sales. People can expect to see everything from jewelry, home baking, originally designed and sewn clothing, jam, preserves, unique, original art and so much more.
Laurie McDermid and Darren Westwood, long-time owners of Westcoast Impressions, and their team began organizing the Markets at Winspear in 2021 in response to the COVID pandemic as a means of keeping a market alive on the Saanich Peninsula and providing something more “normal” for people to do during the difficult time when social distancing mandates set out by the provincial government cancelled most events and gatherings. The large, open parking area at the Mary Winspear Centre made it possible for Westcoast Impressions to host a modified market under the pandemic regulations.
Throughout the 2021 and 2022 market seasons, the Markets saw great success and continued to grow in popularity. As pandemic restrictions lifted, the crowds returned and the Markets gained a loyal and enthusiastic following from both vendors, residents, market goers and visitors.
The highly visible location pulls many people off the Pat Bay Highway into the Markets. The space affords vendors ample time to setup their booth, without stress or the need to rush, while the immediate access to parking and public washrooms is ideal for any public event.
An additional contributing factor to the success of the Markets is the mutually advantageous agreement between Westcoast Impressions, which is a locally owned, independent, small business, and the Mary Winspear Centre, which is a long-standing, non-profit community organization. These and other advantages inspired the team of Westcoast Impressions to make the Mary Winspear Centre a permanent home for Westcoast Outdoor Markets.
“Our philosophy and mandate have always been to support and provide opportunities to local entrepreneurs, creators, artists and community organizations.” States McDermid. “Working with the community’s cultural and events hub at the Mary Winspear Centre, gives us great pride and satisfaction in the work we are doing and an assurance that we are supporting hardworking, independent creators in a meaningful way”.
Westcoast Outdoor Markets will run every Thursday and Sunday from June 15 until August 31. Thursday Markets take place from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and Sunday Markets take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more details and to see what’s on at the Markets each week see westcoastoutdoormarkets.com or follow their social media on Facebook and Instagram.