Christmas Markets around the capital encouraging shoppers to buy local

Some of the smaller, but still popular Christmas markets are offering shoppers a wide range of unique gift ideas. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

Holiday shoppers across the capital city had a chance to buy local this weekend at a number of different Christmas markets.

The annual Watson’s Mill Christmas Market in Manotick celebrated its opening this weekend. The event kicked off Saturday morning and will continue on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m until Dec. 7.

“There’s so many wonderful .crafts, there’s goodies, there’s decorations, there’s gifts,” said Stephanie Gilman, a shopper at Watson’s Mill.

About 35 vendors spread out across three historic buildings, including a used bookstore.

“The Christmas markets are my favorite part of the season, so it’s a highlight for me,” says Janis Dodd, a shopper at Watson’s Mill.

Elaine Eagen, executive director of Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc., says the market serves the dual-purpose of raising funds for her organization.

“The building was built in 1860 and requires a lot of upkeep because it’s still a functioning flour mill. We use waterpower from the river to make it run,” says Eagen.

In Alta Vista, shoppers showed up for the tenth annual St. Patrick’s Artisan and Craft Show. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with about 130 volunteers and more than 100 vendors selling various crafts and goods.

Shoppers had a chance to look through jewelry, candles, paintings, personalized dog bibs, stockings and ornaments.

The St. Patrick’s High School drama club offered face painting and the school’s dance team ran a canteen.

“All proceeds go towards our school programing here, specifically for the arts,” said Fadi El-Saikali, a teacher at St. Patrick’s High School. ‘Our musical this year happens in April, so this helps us out with that and also funds some scholarships,”

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