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Returning for the 7th season in the heart of Oaklands, the Oaklands Sunset Market begins on June 28th for ten weeks at the Oaklands Community Centre.

Creating a community gathering space since its modest beginnings in 2011, the Market has solidified itself as a Wednesday evening staple providing the neighbourhood with access to local farmers, food producers, and artisans. The Market is back in the regular swing of a gathering space, food hub, and summer venue in Victoria with a full schedule of local talent on the stage, a selection of over 50 vendors, community activities, and a bi-weekly beverage garden. At the heart of the Market, and what inspires me to come to work every day, is the opportunity to be a part of something that has grown past just a storefront space to access local food, but a space that celebrates local food and arts, cultivating local economic development, and facilitating community connections. Those words come off as a boilerplate at the bottom of a media release, but it is true. It’s a magical space almost outside of an episode of “Cheers,” where everybody knows your name, and the name of the farmer with the best kale.

Alongside institutions like Moss St. Market and new friends like Esquimalt Farmers’ Market, the farmers’ market scene is Victoria is vibrant and healthy, ready to be your grocery stop and hang out spot almost every day of the week.