The BIPOC Market celebrated diversity in Hamilton and helped attendees get started on their early holiday shopping
The annual Hamilton Day BIPOC Market came back on Nov. 4 at CoMotion on King from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. There was a local DJ, MOJ, in addition to 14 vendors, including Stone and Shadow, Ashantae Scented Soy Candles, Henna Script, Lydie Customs and Travelling Feet Books. This market was in collaboration with Momoco Donuts, Chillis & Chimneys and Recess Photo Studio who had special promos for the market.
Black Owned Hamont has been doing markets since 2021, and they host around 10 every year throughout Hamilton, Niagara and Grimsby. In 2022, they hosted their first Hamilton Day BIPOC Market on James St. N. This year, they’re shaking things up with a new DJ and five new vendors.
Hamilton Day is all about celebrating Hamilton and supporting local businesses, making it a great way to kick off the holiday shopping season. Black Owned Hamont hopes their BIPOC Market will highlight people from marginalized communities because the spotlight isn't always on them. Through their markets, they provide a space to bring BIPOC-owned small businesses to the forefront.
“This is going to be a very busy shopping season. So. . . [everyone should] just do a little bit of research to see if there's an alternative by someone who has made it here locally, [which] I think is a better choice, and sometimes the prices are comparable,” said Alexandria Montague, one of the co-founders of Black Owned Hamont.
Black Owned Hamont hopes that attendees will realize that Hamilton is diverse and has a lot to offer. They also hope that their vendors will feel supported by the community.
“We're here to support our vendors and bring them to the market. So not only to sell, but also [to get them] customers, sometimes it's a follow on Instagram, and then the customer will go back to them and get a service or good,” said Montague.
They hope their market will bring the Hamilton community together and emphasize that the city itself is shared common ground between all Hamiltonians.
Stay tuned for their next market at Market Square in St. Catherine’s on Nov. 26, which will feature over 40 vendors and will be their last market of the year.
Yoohyun Park/Production Coordinator
Get into the winter spirit with these events during your break from school
With orange and red leaves falling off trees and midterms coming to an end just before exams, the winter season is quickly approaching. As the seasons change, winter seasonal and holiday events are coming back to the Hamilton area. For students currently living in and around campus, here are eight events to get you into the spirit of the season in December.
Winter Wonders at the Royal Botanical Gardens
From Nov. 24 to Jan. 9, Hendrie Park will be transforming into a wonderland at the Hamilton Royal Botanical Gardens — complete with festive lights and nature at every turn.
As you stroll through the gardens, there will be festive music as you go along the 1 ½ kilometre walk, which should take around an hour to complete. Student and youth admission is currently on sale at a discounted rate.
The Nutcracker
Ballet Jӧrgen will be carrying on the time-honoured winter tradition with this year’s production of The Nutcracker, held at the FirstOntario Concert Hall. Located at George Brown College, Ballet Jӧrgen is a Canada-wide touring company founded and directed by acclaimed choreographer Bengt Jӧrgen.
The show will feature costumes designed in collaboration with Kleinburg’s McMichael Canadian Art Collection and backdrops inspired by 20th century Canadian landscapes. Tickets are now on sale for the show on Dec. 4.
Centre[3]’s Small is Good Show and Sale
Centre[3]’s annual holiday show and sale will return this year after being postponed last year. The exhibition will run from Dec. 10 to 31 and it will feature a range of works from the artist-run centre’s members.
Ancaster Craft Show
Local vendors and small businesses will be gathering at the Ancaster Fairgrounds on Dec. 11 for the annual Ancaster Christmas Craft Show. Admission costs five dollars and provides community members with access to the mistletoe and tinsel lining the hall and all of the local vendors this year.
Holiday Night 2SQTBIPOC Market
The third and final event in Black Owned Hamilton’s Holiday Pop-Up series, their Holiday Night 2SQTBIPOC Market will be held on Dec. 4 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Side Door Bar. The market will feature Black, Indigenous and people of colour and queer vendors and is being held in collaboration with community organization Fruit Salad, which aims to expand space dedicated for 2SLGBTQIA+ women and gender nonconforming folks.
Cranky Celtic Christmas
The Westdale’s Hamilton Originals series is continuing with a holiday concert featuring Celtic Christmas tunes. The Westdale is a historical Hamilton theatre and registered not-for-profit charity located in the heart of Westdale Village.
Musicians Wendell Ferguson and Scantily Plaid will be performing, with the event hosted by Mike McCurlie. Though the concert will be happening in-person at The Westdale’s theatre, the entire event will be live-streamed over Youtube and Facebook. Tickets are on sale for the concert on Dec. 20.
Holiday Historic Cooking Workshop: Victorian Delights
The Dundurn National Historic Site is also offering a Holiday Historic Cooking workshop on Dec. 3 and Dec. 12. In Dundurn Castle’s 19th century kitchen, participants will learn how to prepare seasonal desserts from two Dundurn cooks.
Tickets are on sale now. Participants will be socially distant, masked and asked to show proof of vaccination before entering.
Christmas Tree of Hope Lighting
The City of Hamilton and the Downtown Hamilton BIA will light the city’s Christmas of Hope, in Gore Park, on Dec. 3 at 6:15 p.m. This year there will be both in person and virtual viewing options, with in-person attendees being asked to mask and maintain social distance.
Live on the stage in the park, Little Peter and the Elegants will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m., with a live stream being available from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Cable14’s website and 9000 CHML’s social media channels. There will also be ferris wheel rides in the park, starting on Dec. 3 and lasting until Dec. 23.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Children’s Fund to support families who may be struggling during the holiday season.
Students looking for opportunities to get into the winter spirit have many events in Hamilton to choose from this upcoming December. Take advantage of these opportunities as the semester comes to a close.
