A belly dancer stepped off the stage and shook and swayed past tables where a couple dozen ladies sat eating cheese, drinking wine and applauding.
The Cariboo Women's Fair was just getting started.
The inaugural event, organized by Canlan Ice Sports at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on May 9-10, featured close to 50 vendors advertising a variety of goods and services, all with women's interests in mind.
Gardening, hair care, jewelry, nutrition, photography, clothes, belly dancing classes, beauty products and Tai Chi were just some of the things visitors could explore at the local arena.
Some of the entertainment included a psychic, Zumba and performances by 2014 Cariboo Idols.
Organizer Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye says the Women's Fair replaced the 100 Mile House Mega Show this year, and was about “giving the community something different.”
She adds vendor turnout was a “huge” success.
“A third of the vendors are new people – they've never been a vendor at one of our events before. There are a lot of natural products and homemade products, which reflects what people want in the Cariboo.
“We wanted a lot of entertainment to go with the show. So it's a jam-packed schedule.”
Billy Feistmantl was one of the vendors, showcasing organic skin care products she makes herself.
“I'm very impressed with it,” she says of the fair.
“I love it. It's very well organized. I think this is the way to go.”
Tammie Black, a 100 Mile House resident, browsed the arena with a friend. It took the pair 90 minutes to do one lap around the floor.
“We're stopping at every booth and talking to everybody about what they're about,” Black says, adding she saw a new anti-aging product among the wares.
“Women like this kind of stuff.”
Rebecca Schuurman, a Vancouver resident, was in 100 Mile House visiting family and took in the fair on May 9. Schuurman says she discovered homeopathic medicines and jewelry lines she didn't think she would find in the South Cariboo.
Was she staying for the psychic workshop later that evening?
“Maybe, I'm trying to convince my sister to stay a little bit longer. I'm thinking more wine will do the trick.”
