An annual event every June in Regina, Saskatchewan is Bazaart. It is a collection of over 100 artisans and craftspeople from around the province selling their wares in the grounds of the TC Douglas Building in Wascana Park, home of the MacKenzie Art Gallery. The event is a fundraiser for the gallery. Last June the event coincided with a visit from an aunt and uncle from England and despite a forecast of rain, we donned our coats and headed downtown. Often a danger at Bazaart is the wind. Southern Saskatchewan is so open and flat, there is nothing to stop the wind blowing across the province and the wind can get quite brisk. Although there were a few downpours when the rain was absolutely chucking it down, we were able to seek shelter at the various booths and combined asylum with shopping.
There is always a lot of pottery and jewelry at Bazaart and last year was no exception. I ended up buying a pair of earrings and a matching necklace from JoJo Beads from Monmartre, a small town southeast of Regina. We had been to the town a few days before and not gone into the shop. We made up for it during one of the squalls!
Another treat for me at Bazaart is the food. There is a wide variety to appeal to all tastes. It is usually my opportunity to have my one smoked sausage for the year. Eating it in the open-air just adds to the deliciousness. Last year we tried the cherry tarts from Lumsden and they were divine.
The MacKenzie Art Gallery Shop also does a brisk trade on the day and we added to their coffers. They always have lovely and original Saskatchewan art work and pieces from around the world. My aunt and uncle could not resist the Swedish crystal by the same company we had visited in Stockholm the year before.
