One of the largest commercial gatherings of the year did not disappoint vendors this year, as the organizer is estimating $181,500 in total sales for a three-day weekend.
Inuvik Christmas Craft Fair 2023 organizer Peggy Jay said sales averaged close to $3,000 per vendor. Not bad for a weekend’s work. The craft fair ran from Nov. 24 to 26.
“We always give a survey to each of the crafters,” she said. “It’s to get an idea of how they enjoyed it, that sort of thing. One of the last things we always ask is a very touchy subject — we ask how did you do in sales over the last three days?
“Most people reported in the $1,000 to $5,000 category. Everybody who filled out the form said it met expectations or more. They enjoyed the festive atmosphere, they enjoyed the Santa visits. There was Christmas music and people said they enjoy the support from other vendors, from volunteers and staff. They just felt that it was a really good environment, a really happy place.”
She added her data was gathered by way of 56 surveys collected from vendors.
Jay, who took on the mantle of organizing the fair after the Great Northern Arts Festival Society was forced to step away due to staffing shortages, said she was taken aback by the level of enthusiasm for the craft fair, noting she counted 150 people through the door within the first 20 minutes of the fair.
She said the energy around the event reminded her of how busy it was before the Covid-19 pandemic and the sales reflected that.
One big change Jay implemented that she felt had an impact was reducing the table fees for vendors. Traditionally, the cost to get a table at the fair was $125, but this year it was only $50.
For her, just the experience itself was the big reward for organizing the fair. She said she was still buzzing weeks afterwards.
”I think I started selling in 2004 or 2005, jams and crafts and things like that,” she said of her history with the event. “I haven’t been doing it the last few years because the table fee was just so high, and the time commitment.
“The most rewarding part was the smiling faces and everybody coming and going. That was the best Christmas present of all.
“I’m still on a big high.”