Photo: Okanagan Makers

In celebration of Earth Day, the Penticton Trade and Convention Center will be hosting a Spring Market over the coming weekend. 

On April 21 and 22, over 150 vendors will be offering handmade and locally produced items, including jewellery, art work, children's clothing and agricultural products. There will also be gardening items including seeds, bedding plans and bird houses.

On Saturday, the author of a solar energy workbook for BC Hydro will be giving a workshop on solar energy projects for the home. He will go through over 30 projects including low cost water heaters, food dryers and photovoltaics. Tickets will be available at the door.

Free workshops throughout the weekend including presentations on composting, growing vegetables and up-cycled craft workshops.

Craft demonstrations will also take place, including silk scarf dying, weaving on a triangular loom and wood carving.

For Earth Day on Sunday, First Nations artist Laurent Isadore will be offering a Buffalo Wisdom performance. Local artist Jenny Long will be live painting, and on both days, local musicians and performers will be rotating through.

The first 50 people through the doors on Sunday will receive up-cycled shopping bags with treats, and the first 25 kids will get free face painting from local artist Camille Clark.

Event organizer Laurel Burnham said this is the only activity in the Penticton area acknowledging and celebrating Earth Day.

"We are becoming more aware on a daily basis of the effect of human activity on the environment” she said. “Its critical that we all become more aware of our planet home."

The Spring Market runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m each of the two days. Admission is $5 at the door, and kids under 12 are free. For more information, visit their website.