It used to be that if you told someone you live in Ladner, they would often need to scratch their head to figure out exactly where on the map you were talking about.
The George Massey Tunnel would be the most often referenced landmark, with the highway to the ferry terminal also getting some cranial traction. Those with a natural bent might use Westham Island's Reifel Bird Sanctuary as a guide, but for many, our little slice of paradise on the western-most edge of the region wasn't necessarily top of mind.
That's changed in recent years and it has everything to do with an event that continues to grow in stature: the Ladner Village Market. The market not only helps identify our quaint little town, but actually brings people out to see it for themselves. Nowadays when you tell people you're from Ladner, the response is often: "That's where the market is, right?" Or even better: "Hey, when's the next market?"
Now in its 17th year, the Ladner Village Market has become an institution in these parts, drawing thousands to 48th Avenue on sunny Sundays throughout the summer (the next installment is this Sunday). It turns that stretch of road into a sea of humanity seven times a season as shoppers flock to the village in search of not only a wide range of products, but also to have a good time while procuring them.
The reason the market has proven so popular is because the organizers have developed a successful template and stuck to it. They hand pick the 140 or so vendors, ensuring all sectors are adequately covered and that there's sufficient variety to keep regular shoppers coming back. There's quality live entertainment for every market, plenty of food choices and a festive atmosphere that makes what you buy often take a back seat to the experience you enjoy.
The McKnights of South Coast Casuals, the Frasers of Heritage House Interiors and all the others responsible for the Ladner Village Market deserve a big thank-you for developing and maintaining a first class attraction.
Even if you've already reached your seasonal limit on garden art or handcrafted jewelry (I know, there might not be such a thing for some people), the market still holds an attraction. At its very heart, it can simply be an enjoyable outing on a lazy summer afternoon, a destination that's accessible via flip-flops rather than the family car. It's a treasure in your own back yard.
And it's also helped to put Ladner on the map.
