The two-day Mistletoe Art and Craft Sale began on Friday, November 1 and carried over to Saturday in the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre. Overall, 723 people attended the annual fundraiser hosted by the Assiniboia and District Arts Council. The event had differing hours, starting on Friday from 5-9 p.m. and then running on Saturday from 10-4 p.m. Admission to the craft fair filled with Christmas ideas and gifts of the season was $3 for adults, while children 12 and under were allowed in for free. This year, the event celebrated its 30th year in Assiniboia.
Vendors originated from all over southern Saskatchewan, including Assiniboia, Bengough, Moose Jaw and Estevan. The furthest vendor this year had arrived from Carrot River. In the past, entries came from other parts of Western Canada, including Alberta and Manitoba.
Local author Heather Hobbs had a stall at the fair featuring her latest books, including Storms and Scarabs 鈥� an interesting tale about two boys who share a time-travelling adventure back to ancient Egypt. 鈥淭here鈥檚 lots of interest and sales are good,鈥� Hobbs said. 鈥淚鈥檝e sold about 20 books between the two days.鈥�
Beth Stobbs from Thomson Lake Regional Park is part of a local group of artists who create art together at 531 Centre Street in Assiniboia. On Saturday afternoon, Stobbs was retailing her paintings of prairie landscapes, with most of the images derived from scenes in the rural south west areas of Saskatchewan. The artist said she preferred to paint in oil or alcohol ink. Stobbs described her artistic process, where she painted either from memory or photos. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 paint on site. It鈥檚 too windy here in Saskatchewan.鈥�
Charla Holbrook from the Big Muddy Valley presented her unique jewellery and keepsakes at the fair. 鈥淭hese are all Muddy stones. They are all rocks from Saskatchewan. They are all one of a kind Saskatchewan souvenirs.鈥� All of Holbrook鈥檚 rocks are sourced from the river valley south of Bengough where she lives. A rectangular pendant in the shape of Saskatchewan was affixed to each of Holbrook鈥檚 pieces.听听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
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