It might be out of sight, but event organizer Rachael Roussin is hoping that the Rossland Mountain Market won’t be out of mind this summer.
The Columbia Avenue and Washington Street revitalization project has hindered the popular spot where the farmer’s market has been for the last three years, but this season it will move up one block.
“One change that we’re hoping won’t impact us this year is the construction in downtown Rossland. So this year, the market has moved a block up to Queen Street and First Avenue,” said Roussin. “We’re hoping that it’ll be a reprieve for people from the downtown construction.”
Six years ago the market was held at the old fire hall and although it was busy, the move to Rossland’s downtown core four years encouraged even more locals to drop by.
The move this season is considered temporary and the farmer’s market, as well as its vendors, remain optimistic about the upcoming opening.
“It was impossible to forget about the farmer’s market before because it was right downtown,” said Roussin. “But now we’ll have to wait and see if people will walk one block up the hill.”
According to Roussin, there are roughly 14 to 28 different vendors attending the weekly market, but the group of people who attend is constantly changing.
“It depends on who is in town on the day of the market,” she said.
Vendors will be selling arts and crafts, flower, baking, fruits, vegetables, plants and preserves.
“We have a make it, bake it or grill it rule,” said Roussin. “Some vendors that we’re really excited about include our local farmers. Of course, we don’t have any large farms in Rossland so we welcome Mad Dog Farm from Castlegar and this year, for the first year, we’re welcoming Garden Hoe from Creston.
“We do have larger vendors that come from afar, but it’s the local vendors and artisans right here in Rossland that are the cornerstone of the market.”
The first market will be held between 3 and 6 p.m. on June 28. For more information about the market or to reserve a spot, visit www.rosslandfood.com.