Patrons visiting vendor stalls at the 49th annual Creative Chaos at Vernon Recreation Complex. (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

arts and craft show

‘Perfect’ weather helps draw crowds to Creative Chaos

Jun 10, 2024 | 3:00 PM

The 49th annual Creative Chaos went off without a hitch.

Held at the Vernon Recreation Complex from June 7 to 9, the arts and craft show was well received by all involved, according to one organizer.

“It was really, really good because, for one reason, it wasn’t as hot as usual. It can get quite hot in there,” Ingrid Baron, chairperson for the Creative Chaos Society, told Vernon Matters.

“It was perfect weather, inside and out for the food fair as well, and I think everybody was very happy.”

She noted Saturday, when the mercury hit a high of 29 degrees, it was still not uncomfortable in the rec centre.

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“Everybody can attest to years where its just been sweltering, but no, it was really good. It was perfect,” Baron noted.

The organizing society ran its shuttle bus for the third year, which Baron said was well utilized over the weekend, adding there were good crowds throughout the three day event.

“We usually guestimate around 15,000 [visitors],” Baron told Vernon Matters.

“It’s impossible to tell because it’s free to get in and there’s three buildings and many ways into each building, so it’s really hard to tell. But the parking lot was full the whole time, so that’s usually a good indication.”

A collection bucket was set up by the Curling Club parking lot entrance for donations to the Salvation Army Food Bank, and while Baron said that money had’nt been counted yet, she said “it sure looks like there were lots of $5 bills in that bubble,” and expects a good amount was raised.

There was a full slate of 226 vendors from across Canada set up at the annual craft fair, and Baron said many of them were pleased with how the weekend went as well.

“[We] get to talk to just about everybody at the end, just about every vendor, and hear them say ‘Oh my god it was a great show, it was such a good show. I did so well, I did even more than last year,’ and that sort of thing,” Baron said.

“So we get everybody, we get to hear the kudos.”

She added there was also a lot of positive feedback from patrons, noting the comments on the Creative Chaos Facebook page also showed the event was well received this year.

Baron said the organizing society will be starting work nearly immediately to plan for the 50th edition of Creative Chaos in 2025.