Spring and summer are a time for exploring local markets, and there’s no better place to check out the artisanal wares and up-cycled creations from artisans across Vancouver Island than the Tofino Public Market.

The 2018 Tofino Public Market runs from May 19th to October 6th. You’ll find it at the Tofino Village Green in downtown Tofino every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. The market is completely free to attend and features a festive atmosphere. It provides an opportunity for locals and tourists alike to connect with local artists and artisans.

Up to 50 vendors set up shop to showcase what they have made, baked, grown, or gathered. Bakers, gardeners, and wild food harvesters offer fresh, local produce for visitors to enjoy. The market also features live musical performances and an Arts & Crafts Zone for kids, as well as cedar weaving and carving demos and workshops hosted by local First Nations artists.

The vendors you’ll find at the Tofino Public Market are all hardworking, creative entrepreneurs who put a lot of time, effort, heart, and soul into what they do. They use their talents and gifts to craft unique, one-of-a-kind artisanal wares. The vendors participating in the Tofino Public Market this year include:

Kate Koreski Jewelry, Claire Watson – Illustration + Design, Allison Tremain, Postelsia Press, Marny Saunders Pottery, The Foggy Bean Coffee Company, Chocolate Tofino, Rosas Jewellery, Lisa Fletcher Jewellery, Rainwater Soap & Candle Co., Kathryn Cunningham, Christy Feaver Modern Metalworks, Six Hundred Degrees, Tofino DNA Clothing, Catherine Craig, Tofino Soap Company, Chi Weaver Shiatsu, Ahoy Bags, and Tofino Community Food Initiative.

On top of these reserved spots, the Tofino Public Market also provides daily drop-in permits on a first-come, first-serve basis to other vendors who would like to participate. This means that you’re likely to find a different array of artisanal wares on any given Saturday, providing you with a good excuse to visit the market more than once!

Tofino’s Village Green is located directly in the middle of town and serves as the town’s main hub. It has a large green space, a playground, basketball and tennis courts, a skate park, and a large gazebo that provides cooling shade from the summer sun. The park bustles with local families and groups of tourists every day during the summer months, and it becomes even livelier every Saturday during the market.

The central location of the Village Green makes it easy to incorporate a trip to the market into your itinerary. It’s only a short walk away from numerous restaurants where you can stop for lunch after you’ve finished your market shopping. It’s also just a few blocks away from Tofino’s docks, where you can do some sightseeing or sign up for numerous ocean activities.

If your travels this summer will be taking you to the beautiful Tofino region, then try to swing through town on a Saturday so that you get a chance to check out the Tofino Public Market as well. You’ll find some great souvenirs and keepsakes, as well as plenty of yummy artisanal treats