WILKIE — A winter storm did its best to discourage people from heading out to the SaskCan arena in Wilkie March 11 for the Spring Trade Show, however, shoppers looking for a taste of spring and socializing resulted in a great turnout for the event.
Wilkie Recreation Director, Lori Fenrich, reports there were 33 tables registered and the silver collection goes towards costs to run the facility for the day.
Walking into the hall, those attending the show got an immediate sense of welcome as inviting aromas wafting from the kitchen, where the Wilkie Elks were serving lunch, coffee and treats. Vendors were all smiles, happy to be back showcasing their products in an in-person environment once again.
Wanda Kovach, longtime vendor at the spring show, said trade shows have been ongoing in Wilkie since she and her family moved into town some 26 years ago. Her attractive booth full of bling and baubles remained busy throughout the day.
Dawnlyn Delainey was selling the popular wares known as Thirty-One, and her booth offered a number of specials created specifically for trade show purchases.
“I started the spring trade show back in 2016. However, when I became busier with our kids and our new business, I asked the town if they would take it over,” Delainey says.
“There has been a fall/winter trade show in Wilkie for a couple dozen years or more.”
Amanda Hartter took on a COVID-19-friendly online version of the spring trade show during the pandemic. It was obvious from the steady stream of morning visitors that people were anxious to experience in-person events such as this again.
Vendors said these trade shows provide them with a great option to showcase their home-based products in a public environment. They agreed they enjoyed the opportunity to expand their sales floor and the opportunity to meet and greet people and showcase their products.
Mandy Klein and her son worked side by side as vendors with mom selling Tupperware and Sipology prproducts. Klein has been a longtime Tupperware representative.
Her son, Owen, had a table that included everything from planters to dog treats to people sweets. Owen’s business was brisk with some shoppers remarking that it was hard to resist the smile of this enterprising young lad.
“Our kids have had a table at this event for a number of years with different products presented each outing,” Klein says. “Daughter Kate was away with sports today.”
Two vendors spoken to that were from the Battlefords ventured out to Wilkie stating the road conditions weren’t as bad as they expected from the storm blowing through. There were several empty tables from out-of-town vendors who were unable to travel due to hazardous road conditions.
Eileen Harrison manned the Wilkie United Church ticket table and was enjoying conversation about the beautifully hand-crafted quilt that was being raffled off and the previous night’s Outlaws win, as she is one of the team’s most faithful fans.
Clark Jackson, Elk’s member, and kitchen volunteer said, “Our club’s fundraising this year will be going towards Wilkie’s pool project.”
The Wilkie Elks Lodge No. 566, volunteers of Charlotte Hartter, Clarke Jackson, Barb Glackin, David Glackin and Jamie Glackin were all smiles delivering a hot lunch and coffee paired with delicious dessert treats for their fundraising efforts at the community event. The tantalizing aromas floating from the kitchen were as equally enticing as the friendly folks from the Elks Club who were serving the menu for the day.
