There were a number of Christmas markets in town this past weekend and there is a number still coming up.

From artisans, crafters, bakers, to market level marketing companies is there a time when consumers become inundated with too much choice?

Organizer for the Rustic Charm Market, Raelle Rivoire, says despite four separate markets being offered in Cochrane last weekend, her numbers were quite good. "On Saturday we had just over thirteen hundred people come through

market 1
and we weren't packed but it was a decent flow and on Sunday we had just under one thousand people."

While every market is hoping for a huge turnout, Rivoire encouraged their attendees to hit up more than just the Rustic Charm Market. "We were telling people to go to all the other markets in town because we have vendors that are in all the markets. It is all local and a lot of people coming through said they were doing all the markets. They were market hopping, like garage sale hopping; I don't think it affected the numbers at all."

Rivoire, shares, in fact, there are so many vendors looking to get in and display/sell their goods that she can't keep up with the demand from vendors. "I am excited but nervous. The amount of vendors that we have signing up is overwhelming. For the December market, we have over 250 different businesses that want to be on board and we already looking at expanding for next year for the busier months to have two locations for one market."

market 2

Vendors are happy and Rivoire says feedback has been positive. "After every market, I send out a survey to all of the vendors and ask them their feedback...what could we do better, what could we bring that they would want to see? Every time we get feedback we just try to bring it in. We do it, to make it better for everyone, as there is always room for improvement."

The Rustic Charm Market has one more date before the holidays (December 16 and 17) where guests can not only visit with Santa but perhaps, his reindeer too.

A list of upcoming markets is below:

Bake and Craft Sale Fundraiser for Seniors on the Bow December 2 (10am- 2pm)

3rd Annual Bearspaw Christmas Annual Market December 8 (3pm-8pm ) 9 and 10 (10am-3pm) at Bearspaw Lions Club

Christmas Market Fireside School December 7 (5pm-8pm) at Fireside School

Cochrane Christmas Farmers' Market December 9  and 10 (10am-4pm both days) at SLSFSC