New Marda Loop market a 'smash-up' of food, arts and culture, organizer says

A large outdoor market has opened up in the southwest Calgary neighbourhood of Marda Loop, after outgrowing its old space.

The Farmers and Makers Market says it's the largest outdoor market in the city, with more than 50 vendors outside. It grew out of a small market based at the local community association building.

"It got quite a following in the community even though it was small in stature and we've outgrown the space," Andrea Tothof theCalgary Earth Market Societytold the Calgary Eyeopener.

It's open only on Saturdays in the summer, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the old King Edward School at1721 29th Ave.S.W. now thecSPACEKing Edward arts and community hub.

The vendors are a mix of traditional farmers marketvendors, plus prepared-from-scratch stalls. The match of market and "makers" is in part inspired by the market's location at cSPACE, Toth said.

The Alberta Art Council also has a gallery there, as do other local artists.

The market hosts two live musical acts and arts and culture programming for children each Saturday.

"We call it a food, arts and culture 'smash-up,'" Toth said.

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With files from Danielle Nerman and the Calgary Eyeopener.