Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum Market

Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum Market
Submitted

The Town of Middleton has an exciting new addition these days. The Macdonald Museum Market opened for the first time on May 31 and continues each week on Thursdays, 4-7pm. With an average of 35 full-time and 10 part-time vendors so far, the outdoor market has been a huge success from the beginning. Everything at the Market is homemade, homegrown, or home-baked. Each week hundreds are enjoying fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, plants, and baked goods. There is even a gluten-free bake table! Freeze-dried fruit, delicious sausages on a bun, ice-cold homemade sodas, lemonade, fudge, chocolates, jams, and pickles are also all available. There is also a wide variety of hand-crafted items for every interest including soaps and shampoos, paintings, woodworking, doll clothes and sewing, painted signs, jewellery, sculptures, rocks, dog treats, pet beds and collars, photography, wool and woollen items, glass work, handmade cards, and more.

Museum director Janice Slauenwhite is thrilled with the huge turnouts they have had. “We saw a need for this type of thing in the area and, since we had the space, we went for it” Slauenwhite said. “The first market in May saw over 700 people come to check it out and we have continued to have huge crowds since. We have room for more vendors and anyone who is interested in joining can call to sign up.”

Museum staff and volunteers are working hard to ensure the success of the Macdonald Museum Market and expect the project to take a year or two to become fully established. Slauenwhite notes that there are always growing pains with any new endeavour, but the positive atmosphere and committed vendors have made the launch exceptionally easy. “We have such a great group of people coming together to make this a reality” she said. “We all have a great time each week and it’s been nice to get to know new business people in the area. We couldn’t ask for a better group and we are thrilled at the quality and variety of the products offered to customers here.” The market also features live entertainment and so far Bob Deveau, Mark Clark, Glen Mick, and Christopher Sharp have performed, with more on the docket for the future. “If anyone is interested in entertaining, they can call the museum to inquire about available times,” Slauenwhite says.

Vendors can call the Macdonald Museum at 902-825-6116 to register for future markets. Full or part-time spaces are available, with each 10X10 space costing $5/week. The museum has run out of tables, so new vendors are asked to bring their own. Vendors can also bring a canopy if they wish.

Markets are held on the front lawn of Macdonald Museum, 21 School Street in Middleton each Thursday, 4-7pm rain or shine until October 4. The museum is also open during market times and, as always, admission is free. For further information please call 902-825-6116 or email contact@macdonaldmuseum.ca. You can also visit macdonaldmuseum.ca or like the Macdonald Museum and Macdonald Museum Market on Facebook.