Shawnigan Lake Market

The farmers market of Shawnigan lake can be found active every day of the week during the Walker's Wander. The shoulder seasons see the market slow to a biweekly event and it dwindles down to once a tenday during The Great Absence. It is a common place to find the majority of the towns denizens as it is the primary source of general commerce and is conveniently located astride the village green. It houses nearly a dozen stalls and is where folks go to chat while the children run amuck upon the green, also where produce, trinkets, crafts, preserves and fresh cooked meals are bartered, sold and swapped. The town of Shawnigan being a place where people from across the great continent collect, sees an immense variety of flavours and traditional meals mingling within one tight knit community. Bringing in spiced and fresh delicacies from the arid steppes of the lands of Oaxaca, the Vargas family will often have a tent set up selling Tamales, Al Pastor and tortillas. You can also find brightly coloured fabrics dyed by the Vargas family that many in the town will wear on weddings and other festival days. The fabrics come in a variety of bright yellows, reds and greens, with intricately stitched patterns that may make even Rei Kawakubo coo with approval. The Hupil's that they sell do not offer much warmth during the absence but they are an amazing celebration of colour and vibrancy during the Walker's Wander. Not to be outdone the Kormani family of Roshar bring with them their Puzawana in a variety of simple tans, browns and whites primarily, but they do also dye a few of these garments in bright sky blues and deep crimson reds with golden embroidery punctuating the beautiful coloring. They often will share their culinary creations with their neighbors as well, having a variety of spiced and seasoned meats that they serve alongside of tobouli and biryani. The rice being imported from the far off lands as it's growth does not fair well in this more temperate climate. Fortunately David Rose has established consistent trade shipments with the sailors who ply the coral sea.   Whatever time of the year it may be the market will also serve to be a central place of news and gossip. Though many frequent the taverns in the evening hours to share secrets in the corners and to talk about who has been courting who in town and when they might be expecting the next lovers walk through the woods. Whenever the sailors come into town to sell their wares it is always a feverous event, news from the outside world is rare and it offers a unique treat for the denizens of the town to catch up on the happenings within the outside world. Often times they will send folks south to speak with the Snohomish people of the southern shores to hear of their great journey around the world tethered to the great walker. Often times the youth of the village will go to live within their community, to learn their language and songs, to learn the ways of their weavings and their teachings, one day perhaps being invited on the great paddle. This is not something to be asked for but only to be offered and it is considered one of the highest honors to be bestowed upon a resident within the sound. So join in the festivities at the market, stock up on supplies, acquire some jewelry or a story and be sure to try the Venison perogis they are out of this world.