Reflecting on Ostara Faire

It’s about time we reminisce about the most enchanting Ostara Faire, a delightful maker's market hosted by my dear friend Cough Syrup Coyote and myself. With over 50 curated vendors, tarot readings, and an abundance of Easter and spring-themed activities, Ostara Faire was the epitome of springtime magic. Held on Sunday March 24, 2024 at Market Square, it was a day filled with joy, connection, and the promise of renewal.

One of the things that made Ostara Faire so special was the abundance of activities and gifts available to attendees. From free goodie bags for the first 20 customers to the gift basket giveaways, there was definitely something for everyone to enjoy. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a variety of vendor-run activities, including tarot readings, seed planting, seed-bombs, button making, and spring colouring sheets!

Another reason this event in particular was so special was because Ostara Faire marked a significant milestone as we celebrated Cough Syrup Coyote's first organized event. As a passionate contributor to the local arts scene, Coyote brought a fresh perspective and boundless energy to Ostara Faire, ensuring that it was an event to remember. Their dedication and creativity shone through every aspect of the event, adding an extra layer of magic to the festivities.

Coyote’s art gave Ostara Faire an unmistakeable identity and really set us apart from any other easter or spring market in the area! Here are some examples of the graphics for the event!

The heart of Ostara Faire was undoubtedly the eclectic lineup of makers, artists, and collectors who showcased their talents and creations. From intricately crafted charms to nature-inspired art and bespoke home decor, there was something to delight every visitor. With over 50 unique and specially curated vendors from all over Ontario, Ostara Faire offered a shopping experience like no other, allowing attendees to shop, explore, and connect with local artisans in a vibrant and welcoming environment.

With any first time event there are always little fears that come with them. Looking back at everything a week later, all of the little anxieties I had leading up to the event were unfounded and I think that has helped me trust my gut a lot more! I had heard stories about our venue being kind of slow on past Sunday’s but I’m happy to share that we had a line up waiting to get in right at opening at 12PM and we were pretty steady up until 4PM!

We recieved so much positive feedback from both vendors and customers alike but the biggest compliments we recieved were about our attention to detail when laying out our vendors! It was so important to us that we made sure vendors selling similar items were spread out from eachother and that each row of vendors had a unique balance of product types to shop through!

Another one of our big compliments at the event was our playlist! We curated an Ostara Faire playlist that completely set the vibe! It’s so good that people have been asking for the link so we’ve finally made it public for all of you to listen to and download! Ostara Faire Playlist

With events this big come a lot of thank you’s so here is a little thank you speed round. Big thanks go to the vendors who filled the market with magic! Thank you to everyone who put up posters and advertised for us! Thank you to Suitcase In Point for letting us borrow the sound equipment! Thank you to Kate Gottli for making the beautiful Ostara spell jars for the goodie bags and for helping us find the magic amongst the chaos! Thank you to all of our activity hosts for bringing a little something extra to the event! Thank you to OPIRG Brock for always being a friend of the maker community and for helping us educate and bridge some of the gaps between this community and activism! Thank you to all of the amazing customers that came out to show their support! And of course the biggest thank you goes to my friend and co-organizer Coyote for making Ostara Faire more than just a market, but an experience! Thank you for all of the time spent on art and marketing and for giving Ostara Faire its identity! Thank you for using your Coyote energy to manifest such a successful day! No one believed me whenever I shared that this was your first time organizing a market, because you approached the entire day with enthusiasm and the confidence of someone who’s been doing this for a long time!

Looking ahead we’re excited for the rest of this year and we’ve already booked our next 3 events! I don’t want to spoil anything but we’re definitely sticking with our theme!

As I look back on Ostara Faire, I am filled with gratitude for the memories made, the connections forged, and the magic shared. It was truly a day to cherish, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this beloved event. Until next time, may the spirit of Ostara continue to inspire us all.