Patrons browsing goods at Creative Chaos in 2022 (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

June 7-9

49th Creative Chaos at Vernon Rec Centre

Jun 7, 2024 | 9:30 AM

The Vernon Recreation Centre will be packed with a full slate of vendors for the annual craft and artisan show, which has been running for 49 years.

Creative Chaos is scheduled to go Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9, at the recreation complex.

“We have 226 vendors, we have a full slate of 13 food trucks in the food court area, we have got three days of entertainment, all kinds of different entertainment,” Ingrid Baron, chairperson for the Creative Chaos Society, told Vernon Matters.

“[The 226 vendors] is all we can hold. Last year we were full as well. The first year post-COVID, we weren’t, but things are definitely back to normal now.”

The fair will feature a wide range of artisans from across Canada selling goods such as food items, woodwork, jewelry, leather goods, pottery, artworks and more.

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People visiting Creative Chaos over the weekend are asked to make a donation to the Salvation Army upon entering.

Baron said they don’t keep an official count of the visitors over the weekend as they don’t charge and there are many entrance points to the event, but she estimated last year saw roughly 15,000 visitors over the three days, and hopes that number of patrons will be seen again.

Parking is limited around the site, so a free shuttle service is being offered between the recreation complex to Kal Tire Place and the Schubert Centre for people visiting the fair. Baron said the buses will be leaving about every 20 minutes.

Creative Chaos was not held during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning this will be the 47th edition of the event, though the organizers are still referring to it as the 49th Annual Creative Chaos.

“We took the two years off, so it’s kind of a hiccup, like what do you call it?” Baron said.

“But really we started in 1975, so this is our 49th [year].”

Baron noted the organizing society does not have anything special planned for this year’s edition, but are starting to plan for extra features and celebrations to mark 50 years of Creative Chaos next year.

The craft fair will run from: