Update: Creative Chaos Not Looking To Move

Update: 4 pm June 6:

The totals are now in for donations to the Vernon Food Bank from Creative Chaos last weekend.

Organizers say 3,527 pounds of food items were donated by patrons, along with $1.024 in cash.

June 5 story

The 42nd annual Creative Chaos drew some of the biggest crowds in the event’s history.

The arts and crafts fair at the Vernon Recreation Complex had 220 vendors taking part.

Organizer Ingrid Baron says a number of sellers said it was one of their best shows ever.

“We had some concerns with everything that was going on like the flooding and sinkhole and other stuff, but I think people just wanted to do something normal. It was one of the best attended,” says Baron.

Baron says the vendors had a wide variety of products, and came from as far away as Quebec.

“I was astounded myself, and I was the one who booked them in, but once you get a chance to see their stuff up close, it was pretty amazing.”

Patrons also donated 67 banana boxes of food for the Vernon Food Bank.

Baron doesn’t foresee the event moving to Kal Tire Place, even when the second arena is done late next year.

“With the parking variance that they (City of Vernon) received for Kal Tire Place, it would be way less parking than what we have, because at the Rec Centre, we have all of the parking, plus the parkade, plus the civic centre, plus all the street parking,” adds Baron.

Baron says the current Kal Tire Place isn’t big enough to accommodate the event.

“You can’t put 220 vendors in there. We also have 11 creative activities. We have a whole food fair and performing arts centre which is outside, so technically speaking, the square footage wouldn’t be anywhere near.”