Rockyford community takes Christmas market into their own hands

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Despite backlash and hesitance from the community beforehand, a Christmas market was successfully hosted in the Village of Rockyford on Dec. 11 during the Rockyford Lights Up The Night festival.

“It was actually a last-minute thing. We usually have a Rockyford committee that does it every year, but they’ve not done it for the last couple of years,” explained Lisa Bennett, Rockyford Library Manager. 

“We decided, as the whole town, to do something for the community and for the kids. So, the market came on.”

Bennett explained she, along with Dalia Cheshire and several other community members, rushed to put together a market for vendors and locals to enjoy to herald in the Christmas season.

She added the market was nothing like what she expected the team would be able to put together in such a short period.

“We had to try and get vendors as well. Obviously, there’s lots of other markets going around, but we did really well. We have 23 vendors and it’s all a big wide variety of different products,” said Bennett.

“We’ve got people who have come from Airdrie, Calgary (and) Strathmore. I’ve got people coming from other areas as well as Rockyford, so it’s good for the community.”

According to Bennett, much of the hesitance in the village was due to the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19. Provincial health measures and restrictions, she explained, deterred the town and the usual committee from action.

Bennett added though the market is intended as a sort of one-off occasion and the hope is for the usual committee with the village to resume organization next year, she along with fellow community members would organize another market if there was a need to do so.

“This is just a one-off for us. We’re hoping that the Rockyford community – the folks who usually do it will be back again next year to do it as normal, but if not, then we can always stand up and do it again.”

With the community hall attached to the library, she said it felt like the perfect place to host the market.

Vendor fees from the market went to support the library, which in turn will help fund children’s programs throughout the upcoming year. Bennett estimated around $600 was raised from vendors fees.