August 13 & 14, 2011 marks the launch of New Westminster’s  8th Annual Cultural Crawl, with a two day city-wide Arts & Cultural experience.  Meet local artists and artisans, discover our heritage, and prepare to be delighted by our unique cultural footprint.

Each August arts and cultural enthusiasts travel to New West from throughout the lower mainland to visit artists, studios, galleries, live music venues, restaurants, theatres and historical locations throughout the city, exploring the “new” New Westminster and discovering upcoming and professional talent.  The Royal City represents a largely undiscovered arts and cultural community that ranges from emerging artists to severalFederation of Canadian Artists members with local and international acclaim.

The City of New Westminster has long committed to being a creative and vibrant city and its residents have put the Royal City on the cultural map by creating galleries, theatres and historical venues that invite residents and visitors alike to discover our unique history and locally-created works of art.

This year’s crawl will include two days jam-packed full of open studios and local artists featuring their work and presenting live paint-ins at your favourite arts, culture and heritage destinations in New Westminster.

Check out the Art in the Park at Royal City Farmers Market August 11th. More details to come!

The weather people keep telling us that August is going to be the summer we’ve all been waiting for. I don’t know about you but my tomato and strawberry plants would very much like a spell of nice hot weather. I can’t imagine how hard it is for a farmer to plan their livelihood with Mother Nature at the helm of the decision making. Did you know that farmers make up only 1.5% of BC’s population? Yet, this small percentage of the population produces an estimated 48% of all foods consumed in B.C. Whether or not we are aware of it, British Columbians depend on BC farmers and BC farmland. July 31st to August 6th is BC’s 2nd Annual Farmer Appreciation Week. Please consider taking time this week as you wander and peruse the market to say thanks to the people in the farm stalls and let them know you appreciate their hard work.

What’s on this week:

Join our friends the New Westminster Public Library at our community group table. They’ll be selling some books and have information about all of their fantastic summer programming. Drop by and say hi. Also at the market this week is local musician Jeff Huggins – our music at the market is sponsored by the great people at the Heritage Grill. Don’t forget to get your facepainted by market favourite, Allyson Grant, and be sure to check out the kids area with crafts sponsored by local realtor Derrick Thornhill.

You can reach the market via transit by taking the 106 bus or the Skytrain to Columbia Street Station and walking to the market at 4th and Royal. Parking is available in the neighbourhood or at City Hall’s lot after 4:30. Please respect our neighbours. Our bike rack has temporarily gone missing, but you can drop your bike off to the fine folks at our info desk at the top end of the market.

A list of vendors attending the August 4th market is below, but remember to check back for cancellations and updates! This list is current as of August 2nd.

Eat On Site

• Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas, as well as frozen take home samosas
• Eli’s Serious Sausage – handmade pork sausages grilled to perfection
• Gogo Java – Coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, and other liquids
• Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread

Produce

• Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm – Peppers, tomatoes, apples & pumpkins
• Canwest Farms – blueberries in 5 and 10 pound cartons
• Celyddon Farms – Certified organic produce from Delta
• Felix Farms – Guichon Farms – assorted locally grown produce by Fifth Generation Farmers in Delta
• Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
• Glen Valley Organic Farm – certified organic produce from a farm located only 50km from New Westminster
• Golden West Farms – Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
• Maan Farms – assorted locally grown produce
• Nature Village Farm – Asian produce, potted herbs, and mushrooms grown in Richmond
• Red Barn Plants and Produce – assorted locally grown produce
• Training Wheels Farm – locally produced on a 2 acre plot in Surrey

Dairy

• Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb
• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks – High quality cheese from Vancouver Island

Meat & Fish

• Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
• Port Hardy Seafood – BC caught fish and prawns
• Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs

Bread & Baking

• A Bread Affair – Breads
• Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
• French Made Baking – French-from-France baking.
• High Crow Gluten Free Foods – celiac friendly gluten free baking
• Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

• AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
• Amber’s Choice – soups, salad dressing and cookies
• Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
• Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
• Maples’ Sugar Shack – maple syrup products
• Simply Delish Soup Co – layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs

Local Crafters

• Alma Valle Fine Silver Jewelry – handcrafted sterling silver original jewelry
• Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
• Magnetite Jewelry by Gina – magnetite jewelry custom fit
• The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
• Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations

Gardening

• i-Dig Gardening – soil amenders and compost additions