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Big Valley’s first vendor’s show draws businesses from across central Alberta

Vendors came from Drumheller, Stettler, Endiang and Rocky Mountain House to showcase their offerings.
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Vicki Hardy at her book and gluten free baking stall at the Big Valley Vendor’s Show. Hardy made the trip from Drumheller to take part in the trade show.

The town of Big Valley held their first ever vendor’s show on Saturday, April 8. Several local vendors showcased their offerings alongside vendors from Drumheller, Stettler, Endiang and Rocky Mountain House.

The event brought a variety of businesses to Big Valley, from local artisans to distributors for larger brands such as Scentsy and Norwex.

Patrons of the vendor’s show were greeted by a variety of products to browse including books, food items, jewelry, and skincare products.

Other vendors were there to showcase their services such as fitness coaching or reflexology.

The vendor’s show was not initially meant to coincide with the Stettler Trade Show, which was held the same weekend, but event organizer Tammy Morrow said she had a positive attitude about holding both events at the same time.

Morrow remarked that the Stettler Trade Show was held over three days, while the Big Valley show took place on Saturday only, which meant that people who wanted to attend both events could easily make the trip back and forth.

Morrow said that this was the first time she had organized a trade show, and that she was pleased with the result.

“Everybody seems to be having a good time, and that’s what it’s all about,” she said.

Several of the vendors who took part in the trade show were also participating in a this type of event for the first time, while others like Vicky Hardy, who made the trip from Drumheller for the event, were more experienced on the trade show circuit.

“I’ve been selling books for about five years,” said Hardy, who acts distributor for Usborne Books, and also sells homemade gluten free baking.

Weekends are important family times, explained Hardy, a mother of two, but making the trip to Big Valley gave her a good opportunity to gain more exposure outside of her usual business area.

Morrow is hoping that the vendor’s show will help put Big Valley on the map as a place for people like Hardy to keep coming back to in the future.

“The show is a way for us vendors to get our names out there and have a day of fun, and bring people to Big Valley, because we’re such a little town on the map,” she added.