The Mother’s Day Country Girls Market has grown into a yearly Stonewall tradition. Returning for its fourth year on Friday, May 8 from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Sports Complex, 550 Main St., this year’s market is set to bring a wide variety of vendors to the community.
Guests can expect more than 80 vendors, featuring 95 per cent handmade items, along with food trucks, Down the Street Tattoo, Tiny Fox Photography and manicures by Sugar Lips throughout the weekend.
Co-organizer Laura Kaner-Isaak said she is excited to host the market’s first two-day event, highlighting how much it has grown since its inaugural year. Kicking off the weekend is the Friday Night Market, offering shoppers the chance to browse while enjoying Mom-themed mocktails available for purchase throughout the evening.
The weekend will also support Tails of Freedom Animal Rescue through the $3 admission fee and by accepting pet food donations. Tails of Freedom will also have adoptable cats on site hoping to find new families.
“They do so much hard work for animals in need, without any financial support,” Kaner-Isaak saaid. “They only run on donations from the community and we are hoping we can help ease that burden a little for them this weekend.”
For Kaner-Isaak, success means creating a fun and profitable environment for both shoppers and vendors. A variety of products will be available for purchase, with something to suit all interests. In addition, attendees can enjoy on-site tattoos, piercings, family photos and manicures.
Alexis Lethbridge, owner of Naked Earth Botanicals, lives just outside Stonewall and will be selling her natural herbal skincare products at the market on Friday only. She studies herbal medicine through Wild Rose College and began making products as part of her school projects. From there, her business evolved as friends and family came to appreciate the benefits of natural products.
“There’s a direct connection between skincare and immune function because our skin is part of our immune system,” she said. “When our skin and skin microbiome are supported, the immune system responds appropriately. But when they’re disrupted, it can trigger inflammation and ongoing irritation.”
By using natural ingredients such as tallow and herbs, Lethbridge said it limits the skin’s exposure to chemicals. Many of her products also use calendula, which can be beneficial for people with skin conditions such as eczema.
“Healthy skin isn’t just about beauty,” she added. “I think it’s important for people to know our skin health has been linked to our overall health, including our mental health.”
Currently, she sells tallow body balm, lip balm and face oils made from ingredients she forages herself or sources from local growers and organic suppliers. Her products come in a variety of scents and are made using high-quality ingredients. A full lineup of products is available on her website, www.nakedearthbotanicals.com.
Lethbridge said it took time to perfect her rendering process, but she has since mastered it.
“The trick is to do it low and slow so there’s no browning of the suet, so it doesn’t have that beefy smell some tallow products have,” she added.
She explained that supporting local artisans is important because their products are incomparable to those found in stores, even those labelled “100% natural.” She noted that ingredients are often unregulated, meaning customers do not always know what they are putting on their skin.
“We need natural companies to be the big companies, run by people who genuinely care about people and the planet,” she said. “But that can only happen if people support us. Buying from small makers with high standards really ensures that you’re getting a good-quality product.”
With hundreds of vendors applying each year, Kaner-Isaak said narrowing down applicants to find the best fit for the market can be challenging.
“We also strive to keep the market fresh each year by changing things up and offering a new shopping experience,” she added. “We work hard to maintain a balanced mix of vendors and avoid having too many of the same type of seller. We want everyone to succeed and to have a chance at joining us.”
She said providing the community with an opportunity to support local makers continues to drive the market’s purpose, noting that it showcases everything Stonewall and surrounding communities have to offer.
Kaner-Isaak hopes residents will come out to the event and help make it another successful Mother’s Day weekend. A full list of vendors is available on the market’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
