One of the best, and biggest, places to find the greatest makers, growers and bakers is at the St. Albert Farmers’ Market.
Largest Market in Western Canada
St. Albert Farmer’s Market has been operating in the quaint Perron District in the city’s downtown since 1983. What started as a small market of just 40 stalls has grown to become the largest farmers’ market in western Canada. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people visit the 270 vendors at the market each week.
The market operates, rain or shine, on Saturdays between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm from the second weekend in June until the weekend before Thanksgiving. This year, the market dates are June 12 through October 9.
St. Albert Farmers’ Market entrance is located on St. Thomas Street and the market is set up along St. Anne Street. Visitors can park and walk/cycle or take the bus to the market area. A free park and ride bus service runs each market day from the St. Albert Centre Exchange. Masks are mandatory on the bus. Busses run every 20 minutes between 9:40 and 3:30. Convenient park and walk maps are available on the St. Albert Farmers’ Market website.
Enjoying the Market in a Covid-Friendly Manner
In order to maintain the safest environment possible, the market organizers have implemented some temporary precautionary safety protocols. Visitors are encouraged to wear masks and refrain from touching items that they do not intend to buy. There is a designated entrance and exit and the rest of the market area is enclosed by fencing in order to discourage uncontrolled entry. Hand sanitizer is supplied and anyone who is experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19, including both visitors and vendors, are not permitted to enter the market area.
Wide Variety of Highest Quality Vendors
St. Albert Farmers’ Market is known for having the highest-quality vendors participate each season. The market is run on a strict motto of “Make it! Bake it! Grow it!” Visitors will not find anything mass produced at this market. Everything from fresh vegetables to the most unique home décor items are available and they are all handmade, hand produced, home grown, or hand crafted. Unique clothes, delicious preserves, plants, personal care items and delicious snacks are on display each week. Visitors can find a full list of vendors here.
On top of the incredible vendors, St. Albert Farmers’ Market also attracts the most delicious concessions and food trucks. Make sure to leave time for a snack or lunch when visiting the market.
A Vibrant Downtown Core
Visitors to the area should also take advantage of the other activities and shops located adjacent to St. Albert Farmers’ Market. Both the St. Albert Public Library and the Musée Héritage Museum are right next door to the market. Downtown St. Albert is full of interesting boutiques and restaurants and there are extensive walking and cycling paths along the river.
Whether you are shopping for the perfect local ingredients or love purchasing handmade items by local artisans, St. Albert Farmers’ Market is definitely worth the trip.
Wendy Powell is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for the Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
