Showcasing local talents at first Holiday Shop & Sip

CFB Esquimalt’s first Holiday Shop & Sip hosted at the Chief & POs’ mess on Dec. 1.

Lookout Staff 

— 

The first annual Holiday Shop & Sip event hosted by the Chief & POs’ Mess and Lookout Newspaper debuted on Sunday, Dec. 1. Bringing together the extended Defence community and local artisans, the holiday market was a dashing success. Showcasing talents including woodwork, baking, preserving, crafting, leatherwork, art, photography, soap-making, stained glass, printing, jewellery-making, thrifting, and so much more, the 66 vendor booths offered holiday gift ideas to more than 300 attendees that afternoon.

Entrance to the event was by donation of a non-perishable food item or cash donation to support Rainbow Kitchen, a community kitchen and hub for food security programming in Esquimalt. A big thank you goes out to all attendees, vendors and organizers as $800 and a large car full of donations was raised at the event.

As attendees sipped on beverages provided by the onsite bar, others indulged in the free popcorn and hot chocolate courtesy of CANEX.

Attendees were also entered into a draw to win over 30 door prizes, donated generously by the event vendors.

The holiday spirit is in full swing at CFB Esquimalt, and planning is already in the works for the next Shop & Sip event.

The reason for the season. Food donations for Rainbow Kitchen fill the trunk at the event.