If you’re looking for something quirky and off the beaten path, Royal Bison serves up a smorgasbord of independent and local goods. Located in the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre, their twice-a-year shin-dig runs in May and December. You won’t find doilies or other typical craft fair goods here; expect to find modern jewellery, edgy art, handmade stationery and perhaps a puppet or two.
This bi-annual craft fair returns this month, from May 5 to 9, 2016. Take Mom shopping for locally produced goods, or pick out a special gift for her before the big day. The Bison vendors dish out everything from artisanal doughnuts to handmade catnip toys. There’s lots of apparel for sale, from designers like Malorie Urbanovitch, Offal Goods and Salgado Fenwick, not to mention jewellery, woodwork, prints, paper products, leather goods and bath and beauty items. If Mom loves craft sales or locally produced, unique goods, she’ll heart the Bison.
This craft sale happens bi-annually, and one of those times is just weeks prior to Christmas. The 2016 winter fair takes place December 2-4 and 9-11 (Fridays 5 to 9 pm, Saturdays 10 to 5 pm and Sundays 10 to 4 pm). At the winter version of the fair, there are usually several vendors with awesome, unique Christmas ornaments. Previous holiday decorations include shotgun shell Christmas lights (and yes, they are awesome). The vendor list does change every year but there are always lots of amazing local artisans, many of which do holiday decorations and Christmas tree ornaments. Admission is only $3 and kids get in for free!