A Touch of Holiday Magic:
A Touch of Saltspring Christmas Show by Lara Gladych
After 27 years, A Touch of
Saltspring Christmas Show is moving home, back to where it all began at the Saanich Fairgrounds. After more than a decade at Panorama Recreation Centre, the show is returning to its roots. To mark the occasion, some of the show's original artists are coming out of retirement to participate in this year's fair, joining the other vendors who number approximately 200 altogether. Ed Helm has been the general manager of the show since 1991, and today the event is a family affair operated by multiple generations. As Ed says: "the show will continue through the family." Artists and craftsmen bring their wares from all over B.C. and Alberta, and the venue is at full capacity this year. In addition to vendors, there will also be 13 charitable organizations present, including the Girl Guides and Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation, to name a couple. With the return to the fairgrounds, the parking headache of previous years is alleviated. Gone are the shuttles and off-site parking, so guests can look forward to ample space for vehicles and the
convenience of walking to your car without the fuss of fighting for a parking space. A Touch of Saltspring is the largest attended arts and crafts show on Vancouver Island, and is a great venue at which to kick off your Christmas shopping and dust off your holiday spirit. If you've never been to the show before, you can expect to see a wide assortment of handcrafted pottery, jewelry and sculpture, wooden bowls and paper goods, foodstuffs of all sorts from seafood to baking to canned and jarred treats, as well as textile pieces and holiday decorations – all under one roof. Just like Santa's workshop, you might say. If you're concerned about sustenance as you make your way through all that the show has to offer, food will be available in two locations including the dining room, according to Ed. Mark your calendars for this unique event: Friday November 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday December 1 and December 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is only $5 for a three-day pass. If you're unfamiliar with the fairgrounds, they are located at the 1528 Stelly's Cross Road, in Saanichton. Happy shopping!
NOVEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 39