Hundreds of people got a head start on the holidays as they were welcomed at the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market’s winter market on Nov. 22 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds. 

Dozens of cars filled the fairgrounds parking lot as shoppers made their way into the building. While there were fewer food-based vendors than during the summer season, several booths featured permanent goods such as jewelry, crafts and handmade items. 

The market was spread throughout the fairgrounds building and had a feel similar to the winter craft fair held at the same location two weeks earlier. Many vendors participated in both events. 

Eika Willis, a Bonners Ferry resident, attended as a vendor for the first time, selling custom rings she designed. 

“I’ve done some other shows before, but not the farmers market specifically,” Willis said. “They just posted on Facebook a few weeks ago that they were looking for a couple more vendors. So, I decided to do it last minute.” 

Willis said she had no expectations going into the market, but within a few hours was already considering returning next year. 

“I was just happily surprised at how many people are here,” Willis said. “It’s been pretty steady all day.” 

Marva Maring and her husband have made cheese for most of their lives. This is their first year at the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market after joining during the summer season, and they also noticed higher-than-normal attendance. 

“People may be starting to look for holiday gifts or they realized this is the last (market) until spring,” Maring said.    

Julie Newcombe has been a vendor at the market since 2018, along with her husband, Edward and their son, Seamus. She said the timing of the winter market contributed to the turnout and while said the Sandpoint market is more profitable, the Bonners Ferry community matters more. 

“Sandpoint is a much more lucrative farmers market for us than Bonners Ferry,” Newcombe said. “Most of the farmers on our scale have left Bonners Ferry and gone down there.” 

“The reason we stay, even though it’s less lucrative for us here, is there’s a base of customers here that we feel is our community and we need to be present for them.” 

Maring said the community has made the market an enjoyable experience.  

“It is enjoyable meeting everybody, especially the people that come back,” Maring said. “With the vendors, we’ve actually made lots of new friends.”