The Peninsula Country Market will have some added attractions this weekend as the Third Annual Saanichton Family Festival joins forces with the weekly event at the Saanich Fair Grounds on Saturday, Aug. 17.
“Last year we held it over at Centennial Park and it was pretty successful,” explained Dan Olive, an organizer of the annual event from Seafirst Insurance in Central Saanich.
“This year we decided to tap into the crowd size of the farmers market so we’re expecting around 1,500 or 2,000 people. It will be great.”
Activities during the Family Festival, which is a partnership between the market and the Saanichton Village Association, Seafirst Insurance Brokers and CIBC, will include bouncy castles, food vendors, games, and prizes, visits from Farmer Vicki & Daisy the Cow of Island Farms (10 to 11:30 a.m.) and Panorama’s Slider the Penguin.
“The event is free of charge and simply serves to bring everyone in the community together for a good time,” said Olive.
The market will open at 9 a.m. as usual for its regular shoppers and will be extended by an extra hour that day so everyone will have more time to enjoy the Family Festival.
“Volunteers from Seafirst, CIBC, and the Saanichton Village Association will be there to make sure everyone has a great time,” said Olive.
The market will also introduce its “Growing Families On The Field” program, sponsored by the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets and Vancity. The market will give away ten $50 family vouchers on the day.
The Peninsula Country Market runs every Saturday morning at the Saanich Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from June through Thanksgiving. For more information, visit the market website at www.peninsulacountrymarket.ca.