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Salt Spring Market
 
   

The Salt Spring Saturday Market is an outstanding open air market in the heart of the Gulf Islands. Located in Centennial Park in the island's main village, Ganges, the market attracts a large crowd of discerning local shoppers and island visitors. If you're looking for organic culinary staples or exotic accoutrements this is the place to be. Locals display their wares, which include fine produce, exceptional artisanal cheese, wild west coast mushrooms and even kiwis and figs. Plan a diner around what's seasonal, fresh and locally grown. Pick up some wonderful hand shaped loaves of bread, baked fresh the same morning. For dessert take home some of the wonderful home made cookies, pastries and decedent fudge.

  
 
Original Artwork by Louise Adele
  

If all of this is making you hungry, don't worry there are a number of vendors with a variety of snacks (or full sit down meals, if you wish) which you can take with you as you go. Of course there's lots of munchies to appeal to the kids as well (you'll also find a playground for the toddlers in the park), so you don't have to leave anyone at home.

The fine food is only a part of the markets' appeal, as the islands artists display their works along the walkways, giving you a glimpse of why the island has such a wonderful reputation in the art world. Fine jewelry design, colouful original prints, excellent photographs, hand woven clothing and exceptional pottery are all on display. All of this with the added bonus that the artists is usually in attendance and eager to share with you each pieces history and inspiration.

The market runs each Saturday from the early spring to the end of October, rain or shine. The best time to arrive is around eight thirty if you're looking to get the best selection (the freshly baked items disappear quickly) of fresh food and it also makes parking a whole lot easier. If you're on vacation you can still sleep in, since it the crowds don't dissipate until well into the afternoon, particularly on warm sunny days.

 
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Salt Spring Island Saturday Market
 
 

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Getting Here

Salt Spring Island is accessible only by water or air. Regular scheduled ferry service is available from Swartz Bay (Victoria) or Crofton (Duncan) on Vancouver Island as well as from Tsawwassen (Vancouver) on the lower mainland of British Columbia. A short hop in a small plane will also take you to the island from Victoria, Vancouver or even Seattle. Many people access the area (particularly in the summer) by private boat as well. Victoria can be accessed from Washington State via regularly scheduled ferry service.

  
 

From any of the ferry terminals head into Ganges (the island's centre). The market is located in Centennial Park at the intersection of Fulford Ganges Road and Lower Ganges Road. On market day grab parking anywhere you can in the Ganges area as spots are at a real premium. Ganges is small and most of what you might want to visit is within walking distance.

Note: 2008 sees the inauguration of the islands transit service, which means you can get to the market from the ferries without your car. Check out our transportation section for links to the ferry and bus services for more information.

Gulf Islands

 

Regional Links

 

Surrounding Regions

Out-There's Gulf Islands
Out-There's Vancouver Coast and Mountains
Out-There's Whistler
Out-There's Victoria & Vancouver Island

Tourism Victoria
Tourism Vancouver
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Coast and Mountains

 


Salt Spring Saturday Market
www.saltspringmarket.com
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