Submitted by: Association for Community Living Swan River Sincere thanks to all the volunteers who contributed in so many ways to the success of our 44th Annual Calico Corners Craft & Bazaar Sale. Our thanks to all the numerous businesses and individuals who donated food and items towards our Silent Auction. We would like to […]

Submitted by: Diane Rooks | The Minitonas Christmas Market was held at the Minitonas Town Hall on November 1, 2025. It was a great day, with many people supporting our local vendors and picking up unique gifts and treats!

Submitted by: The Association for Community Living Swan River Sincere thanks to all the volunteers who contributed to the success of the 43rd Annual Calico Corners Craft Sale and Bazaar on November 1, 2024. Our thanks to the numerous businesses and individuals who donated food, and items towards our Silent Auction, the crafters who rented […]

Submitted by: Lorrelei Graff A group of small home-based businesses and craft vendors had a most enjoyable day at the Veterans Hall in Swan River on March 30, 2024. Even with the previous day’s snowfall, many people came out to enjoy, visit and support the vendors and get 50/50 tickets. A delicious lunch was available […]

Submitted by: Gloria Stesenko The Village of Benito was bustling with activity when large crowds of people attended the first Community Garage and Business Sidewalk Sale. With 28 locations, some of the streets where so congested that it was hard for vehicles to drive around so a lot of the visitors just parked and walked […]

There was a great turnout at the Spring Vendor Market on May 6, 2023 with a lot of happy shoppers. If you couldn’t make it to the market, and are needing a gift for someone, support a local vendor.

Submitted by: Diane Buhler | The Tinsel and Tidings Christmas Market was held at the Swan Valley Museum on November 26, 2022. We had more than 30 vendors and a steady stream of happy shoppers in and out of the doors during the sale. We collected non-perishable items for the Swan Valley Food Bank at […]

Submitted by: Jena McKee Swan Valley Farmers Market thanks all of the vendors and shoppers who came out to the Christmas Sale at the Swan Valley Museum on November 18, 2022. We had a fantastic turn out, and the lunch provided was absolutely delicious! It was great to see so many people coming for lunch […]

Submitted by: The Association for Community Living – Swan River The Association for Community Living – Swan River has just hosted the 41st annual Calico Corners sale on November 4th, 2022. Crafters from around the area came together to display & sell their wares. It was wonderful to see the crowds of people come out […]

Submitted by: Jena McKee | The 2022 market season is off to a great start, thank you to everyone who has been out shopping and checking out the variety of locally produced items the market has to offer! We have woodworking, coffee, veggies, baking, body care, essential oils, crochet crafts, jewelry and so much more! […]

Submitted by: Diane Rooks | A great time at the museum on Saturday, April 30, 2022 for the spring craft sale. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our local home based businesses!

Submitted by: Diane Rooks | Thanks to everyone who came out to the Spring Craft Market on Saturday April 2, 2022 at the Museum. It was great to see so many people come out and support our local home based businesses!

Submitted by: Jessica Bergen Mistletoe Madness Craft Sale was held at the Swan Valley Museum on Saturday November 20, 2021 and Saturday December 4, 2021. After 2 great craft sales, lots of happy shoppers, we say a big thank you to everyone who came out to shop local. Our silver collection is still being tallied, […]

Submitted by: Jena McKee | The opening day of the Swan Valley Farmers Market on July 22, 2021 was a huge success! Thank you to all of you who came out to support our local vendors, it was an excellent start to what will hopefully be a busy market season. Such a wide variety of […]

Submitted by: Bev Leach | There was much chatter and laughter in St. James Anglican Church on December 7, 2019 as many local residents enjoyed the annual St. James Christmas Tea and Bake Sale. Pictured above: Diane Sylvester and Marilyn Staples were managing the bake sale table as the guests began to arrive for tea. […]

Submitted by: Gloria Kutynec | December 6th, 2019, the Swan River Valley Health Auxiliary (SRVHA) had another successful annual Christmas Bake sale, Grocery Hamper raffle and Novelty table. There was a wonderful attendance and it wasn’t long before all the baking was gone. The day brought in $765.00. The grocery hamper was won by Shirley […]

Submitted by: Karen Gade | The Benito Rec. Centre was buzzing on Saturday, Nov. 30 when the Benito United Church hosted their 18th annual Craft and Trade event. The mild weather contributed to the great turnout. 42 tables of crafters and home based businesses gave those attending a large variety of shopping choices. Pictured above: […]

Submitted by: Maxine Larway | The Christmas Gift Show held on November 23, 2019 in the Riverview Condos Clubroom was well attended!! We raised $225 so far towards the Alone At Christmas Dinner” Vendors at the show included; Kristen: Thirty-One, Cyndi Miles Designs, Leanne Delaurier: Norwex, The Mushroom Patch, North Country Grains and Hannys Hobbies. […]

Submitted by: Association of Community Living | November 1, 2019 marked a special milestone in our Calico Corners history. The Association for Community Living-Swan River has hosted this amazing craft event for 40 years. Crafters from near and far look forward to this event every season to display and sell their wares. It was wonderful […]

Submitted by: Gwenda Wotton Another successful Craft Sale was hosted by the Birch River Northern Neighbors Oct 26, 2019. 22 vendors were selling everything from baking, quilts, James, jellies, cards etc. – there was something for everyone. We even had 5 generations of shoppers all at the same time. There was a good turn out […]

Submitted by: Kathleen Sterma The Swan River Northwest Regional Library held the 1st Annual Fall Fair on Saturday September 21, 2019. There were over 650 People who attended including the volunteers that helped with the event. 11 local Vendors participated. Children’s activities were the highlight of the day! The Northwest Regional Library would like to […]

Submitted by: Diane Rooks | A great time was had by all at the Minitonas Market on November 10, 2018! Thank you to everyone that came out to support our local home businesses and to everyone who contributed to our silver collection for our veterans.

Submitted by: Brenda Fisher Our 39th Annual Calico Corners Craft Sale held on November 2, 2018 was well attended and enjoyed by all. Just enough chill in the air to get everyone in the festive mood. It was wonderful to see the new crafters attend and we all look forward to our yearly favorites to […]

Pictured above: Murray McClure from Terry’s Greenhouse presenting people’s choice garden aware to Lyn Kublick Submitted by: Teresa Mckay | The Minitonas Tent Town Garden Club held another successful Fruit festival on Saturday. We especially want to thank all who attended, enjoyed a pie and coffee and purchased our produce. Also a huge thank you […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Farmers Market was overflowing with shoppers as it opened for the season on Thursday July 19, 2018. A rush of people looking for the season’s first taste from the garden quickly snapped up new potatoes, carrots, onions, beets and berries as was well as honey, homemade baking, jam and other local […]

Submitted by: Tanya Powell | Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre held their spring craft sale and lunch on April 21, 2018. There were many unique vendors and lots of special items to explore.

ValleyBiz | The weather outside wasn’t frightful for the Minitonas Downtown Christmas Party on December 22, 2017, but the fire was delightful. As people filled the streets of Minitonas they were able to enjoy the last of the moderate temperatures before the frigid weather covered the area over throughout much of Christmas and New Years. […]

Pictured above: Bill Woytkiw and his son were 1st in line for Martha Verhoek’s peanut butter squares while Rose Chernenkoff dropped off her baking at the United Church table. Submitted by: Karen Gade | The balmy temperatures encouraged shoppers to attend one of the most successful Benito United Church Craft and Trade Show’s on Sat, […]

Submitted by: Karen Peters | A big thank you to the Swan Valley and area for their support of this year’s Ten Thousand Villages Christmas sale on November 16-18, 2017. Thank you to our volunteers Lena & Lorne Friesen, Karen Peters, Lowell & Jenny Friesen, Betty Warkentin, Doris Reimer, Dorren Miles, Nasseem Mousavi, Jake & […]

Submitted by: Susan Ross | On Friday Nov. 17, 2017 Swan Valley Band Boosters held a Holiday Shoppe. This event featured 16 home business, baking and craft booths as well as a sweet shoppe concession stand. Shoppers had a chance to win door prizes and enter a basket raffle. Band booster used this evening to […]

Submitted by: Diane Rooks | It was a great day at the Minitonas Christmas Market on Saturday, November 18, 2017! Lots of people came out to shop and have lunch. Even Santa came to check out what was there and take some pictures with the kids.

Submitted by: Brenda Fisher | Our 38th Annual Calico Corners Craft Sale held on November 3, 2017 was a huge success. The wintery weather definitely got everyone into the festive shopping mood. There was a large variety of crafters displaying their wares for the browsing public. Shoppers could then enjoy a delicious warm bowl of […]

Submitted by: Gwenda Wotton | On Saturday, October 28, 2017 the Birch River Senior Group held their annual craft sale. Over 20 tables of crafts, baking, sewing, knitting, local frames, pictures available for sale. Thank you to everyone that came out. Lots of Chili and visiting was enjoyed by all. A BIG Thank You to […]

Submitted by: Glenda Foster | The Flea Market and lunch hosted by the Birch River Royal Canadian Legion on September 30, 2017 was enjoyed by the community and many treasures were shared!

Submitted by: Tanya Powell | The Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre Craft and Small Business Sale held on October 14, 2017 was a great success. The sale was attended by over 300 eager shoppers. There were over 35 tables of goods displayed and many new crafts to choose from.

Submitted by: Lynda Leslie | Amidst the busy harvest season of 2017, the Minitonas Tent Town Garden Club hosted their annual Fruit Festival on Saturday September 9, 2017. Click any picture for a larger version. The hall was decorated in keeping with the theme of the year – Canada 150 – with red and white. […]

Submitted by: Debbie Soloway | This year we were unsure if there would be a Summer Start Sale. We had rain most of the week and the skies along with the forecast were not showing any promise for Saturday June 17, 2017. Click any picture for a larger version. As we all went to bed […]

Submitted by: Leila Richard | The Aboriginal Head Start Program held a garage sale on May 19, 2017 at the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Hall. There were a few less tables than initially expected, however the deals were great. Pictured above: Headstart students Maci, Troy and Mylee (Headstart students) served up some delicious lemonade. Click any […]

Submitted by: Amanda Bulycz | The ESRSS Daycare hosted the Everything Children’s Sale on Saturday May 13, 2017. The indoor garage sale was hosted at the War Veterans Hall from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Click any picture for a larger version. People in the community were able to rent a table to sell their unneeded baby, […]

Submitted by: Jan Fawcett | On November 29, 2016 members of Swan River Royal Purple Elks Lodge packed pre-ordered Christmas Baking boxes. The Ladies outdid themselves this year with a beautiful and tasty selection of goodies. For the first time Christmas baking boxes will be available to purchase at the Coop grocery store: Monday, December […]

Submitted by: Bev Leach | Early arrivals to the Services to Seniors Cookie Walk lined up for the 10 a.m. opening at St. James Anglican Church on Saturday, November 26, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. Board members and volunteers helped keep the lines moving as participants chose cookies to fill their boxes. […]

Submitted by: Karen Peters The Ten Thousand Villages Sale took place in Swan River on November 17 through 19, 2016. The sale featured handcrafted products made by disadvantaged artisans. Click any picture for a larger version. Many people stopped by to find some unique items, to get a start on their Christmas shopping and to […]

Submitted by: Edgar Yacyshyn | Last Saturday, November 19, 2016, The Swan Valley Snowmobile Association had their first annual Snowmobile Show and Swap Meet. There were plenty of new and used merchandise to choose from. Click any picture for a larger version. Thanks to all the local snowmobile dealers who brought in their machines and […]

Submitted by: Brenda Fisher | Our 37th annual craft sale was held on November 4, 2016. Crafters and shoppers enjoyed an unseasonably warm day for our event. Click any picture for a larger version. The War Veteran’s Hall was abuzz with activity as people browsed through the wonderful variety of wares available for purchase. Friends […]

Submitted by: Jacee Zbirun | The Benito Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank everyone who came out to support their first annual Fall Craft Sale. Hope to see everyone next year! Click any picture for a larger version.

Submitted by: Gwenda Wotton | The annual craft sale held by the Birch River Northern Neighbors was again a success. 20 plus tables with all kinds of goodies to choose from. Click any picture for a larger version. Once you were done looking at all the baking, knitting, jams, jellies and endless crafts that all […]

Submitted by: Tanya Powell | The Friendship Centre craft sale held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 was a huge success with close to 300 people stopping in to take a look. Click any picture for a larger version. There were over 35 tables and lots of great Xmas ideas and food samples on hand. Don’t […]

Submitted by: Tanya Powell The Christmas Craft & Trade Show held December 12, 2015 at the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre was a big success with close to 40 vendors participating. Click picture for a larger version. There was a steady stream of people throughout the day who enjoyed the great selection of crafts and excellent […]

Submitted by: Karen Peters | Almost 900 were privileged to attend and take part in the Live Nativity at the Swan Valley Museum on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Click any picture for a larger version. As you walked into the building, the census people were there to count you in and immediately you came upon […]

Submitted by: Karen Gade | Blue skies and above 0 temperatures on December 5, 2015 made the trek to Benito for the annual Craft and Trade Show very enjoyable. Over 35 exhibitors were set up and ready for the 10 a.m. start. Click any picture for a larger version. Popular stops were Skyler Blosha’s cookies, […]