Salt Spring Island Saturday Market
The Salt Spring Island Saturday Market in the Park (the Market) has been operating in Centennial Park since the 1970s. Since then it has grown considerably and attracts visitors from all around the world and acts as a key economic driver and crucial pillar of island life for the community on Salt Spring Island.
The Saturday Market operates as a local producer based market. Salt Spring Island Residents are offered permits for vending in the Market on a point rating system.
The philosophy of the Market is:
“Make it, Bake it, Grow it”
&
“Vendor Produced and Sold”
Salt Spring Island Saturday Market Society
The Saturday Market has been operating in its current inception since 1993 with the CRD (Capital Regional District) managing the market. The Salt Spring Island Saturday Market Society was formed in response to the CRD looking to outsource the management and operation of the Saturday Market; it is a not-for-profit, community based society with a volunteer board. SSISMS has been awarded the licence for five years by the CRD.
As of 1 January 2024 it is the operator of the Saturday Market in the Park.
Who is the SSISMS?
The Salt Spring island Saturday Market Society aims to promote and support our local economy by providing a thriving market venue following the motto “Make it, Bake it or Grow it” on Salt Spring Island.
The SSISMS is governed by market artisans as well as a member from each of the following: the farming community, local businesses and the professional community.
The SSISMS works to continue to provide a vibrant community event that supports and sustains not only local Salt Spring Island art, craft and food artisans and growers but also local not-for-profit organisations, child vendors, buskers and the surrounding community businesses.
When is the Saturday Market?
The Saturday Market runs from the first weekend of April (or Easter weekend, whichever comes first) to the last weekend of October. Business hours are from 9am to 4pm.
Where is the Saturday Market?
The Saturday Market is held at Centennial Park in Ganges, along the area fronting the roadway as well as in the center and parkside of the Ganges Alley parking lot.
What does SSISMS Stand For?
SSISMS believes in the value of a vibrant community of makers of hand made goods and growers of fresh produce as part of the local fabric of society as well as a popular community meeting place and community event and a significant driver of tourism.
SSISMS believes in upholding the requirement that all goods are made or grown on Salt Spring Island by Salt Spring Island residents and sold by the makers and growers themselves.
The SSISMS Board
Alvaro Sanchez (Market Vendor)
Carin Perrins (Business Owner)
Cheyenne Goh (Market Vendor)
Desmond Gross (Market Vendor)
Jennifer Lannan Emekoba (Business Owner)
Rob Pingle (Member at large)
Sue Earle (Farmer)
Susanna Kong (Market Vendor)
Member at Large (Vacant)
