Lots of choice at Smoky Lake Christmas market

By Irene van der Kloet

It is the time of the year for the Christmas market. Smoky Lake held its Christmas market on December 10. Normally, the markets are in the community complex, but this time it was held in the H.A. Kostash school. Upon entering the building, the atmosphere was immediately welcoming, with live guitar music by the door. The little hallway was packed with vendors, from soaps, jewellery, keyrings made out of deer antlers and bones, handmade mitts and scarves to flowers. For anyone wanting a poinsettia, this would have been the place to get it. The long hallway led to the main hall where Gene Sobolevsky and his partner Tara Harder entertained the crowd with Christmas songs and guitar music. Gene and Tara often perform at the jam sessions in the Smoky Lake Inn, and one could hardly think of better entertainment to accompany a Christmas market. Anything a person could think of or even not think of was probably there: farmhouse decor, essential oils, novels by Leigh Ann Knowles, Scentsy wax melts, Watkins products, fishing rods, linens, woodworking, resin creations, printed mugs, skin care products, gift baskets, guitars and guitar parts, semi-precious stones and crystals,  candles, soups, hand made cards, Super Dips, and so much more. For many vendors, selling items at the Christmas market is a side job or hobby, but they take this hobby or sidekick very seriously: a lot of time and effort goes into preparation for the market, like, for example, baking. One may wonder how long a vendor has spent preparing for the market, but the result is certainly worthwhile. Many products are not only a work of art but also a work of heart. This makes visiting a Christmas market so rewarding for both vendors and buyers. The farmer’s markets or Christmas markets run from Easter to Christmas.