A large family gathers every Thursday and Saturday just off the Yellowhead Highway for the Lloydminster Outdoor Farmers Market.
The market may be small in size but it’s overflowing with warmth, familiar faces and local spirit.
“It’s whole market is like a big family,” said vendor Susan Hofer. “Everyone who comes here often goes out with a smile.”
That family feeling has kept the market thriving after nearly 25 years of change and relocation.
“Everybody knows everybody and supports each other,” added organizer Lorna Rolheiser.
From Saskatchewan to Alberta
For the past four years, vendors have set up shop along the busy highway, drawing curious drivers, loyal locals and travellers from across North America.
“We have such good exposure on the highway,” said Rolheiser. “We’ve got a really good place here, and Rona has been wonderful to us.”
The market’s first long-time home was St. John’s Anglican Church before moving to the former Lloydminster Museum and Archive location at Weaver Heritage Park for another 10 years.
When the museum shut down, organizers found new ground at Rona and haven’t looked back.
The market features about a dozen vendors and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The stalls offer a rotating supply of local goods, including garden vegetables, fruit, fresh bread, jams, handmade gifts, candles and more.
“We pretty well have everything you need from a farmers market,” said Rolheiser. “Our vendors are awesome.”
Small market charm
One of those vendors is Marlene Spence, who sells Chaga and Norwex products under the name Borealis Chaga and Norwex.
“This market is unique because of its diversity,” said Spence, noting Lloydminster’s outdoor market has a special charm.
“We get travellers from everywhere, from Texas to Ontario,” she said. “They love that it’s right at the highway. They see the tents and pull in and they’ve got lots of room to park.”
Also parked most weeks is a big trailer from a nearby Hutterite colony, packed with produce that’s usually gone by day’s end.
“We need the big trailer to bring it but not to go home,” laughed Hofer.
She said they harvest fresh vegetables early in the week for three markets between Lloydminster and Provost.
“Thursday, Friday, Saturday … we do three markets, then it’s sold out,” she said, adding it’s not just about sales.
“We like to support Lloydminster with fresh vegetables .It feels good to be part of the food chain.”
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