Circle Craft Christmas Market kicks off without pandemic restrictions

One of Canada’s largest craft shows is looking to kick off the holiday season without pandemic restrictions for the first time in three years.

The Circle Craft Christmas Market is being held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West from Nov. 9 to 13, with organizers looking to build off a surprisingly successful 2021.

Related Article: Vancouver Christmas Market kicks off the holiday season on Saturday

Founder of the market, John Ladouceur, says despite pandemic restrictions being in place, last year’s event met historical levels in terms of attendance.

“This year, we’re hoping to again achieve that level. The response, so far on the pre-sale tickets, is comparable to last year,” he told CityNews. “In the big picture, I think Circle Craft has come out of the pandemic in decent shape.”

Ladouceur says during the 2021 event, public health restrictions didn’t allow for certain aspects of the market, like food vendors.

“That was a challenge. The rules were always changing,” he said. “This year, it’s all back to normal.”

That return to normal is welcome for some 275 exhibitors from across the country attending the event.

April Lacheur is an acrylic artist and regularly attends craft shows. She is entering her ninth year at the Circle Craft Christmas Market.

“Circle Craft is by far my favourite. I find that the energy of the people that come — they’re just so excited every time,” she said.

“It’s certainly, for me, the kickoff to Christmas. It’s got the Christmas trees, the decor, they play Christmas music and it’s sort of like ‘yeah, Christmas is here’.”

Lacheur notes while there were struggles during the pandemic, she appreciates what it has done for the attitudes of shoppers around the holidays.

“People are maybe seeing more of the value of things that were locally made and the need to support local and small business, I think there’s been a real movement towards that in the last few years,” she said.

Circle Craft has been an artist cooperative since the 1970s, with the market running annually for nearly 50 years.

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