The first thing you’ll notice isn’t the rows of fresh cherries or the scent of barbecue drifting through the park.
It’s the feeling.
Children laugh as they race across the grass. Musicians play beneath the trees. Friends settle onto picnic blankets with dinner in hand while swimmers wander up from Okanagan Lake. Vendors greet customers by name, stopping to catch up before weighing fresh peaches or wrapping handmade jewellery.
There is no rush here.
Every Wednesday from June through September, Manitou Park transforms into one of the most charming farmers’ markets in the Okanagan. Set beside the beach and overlooking Okanagan Lake, the Naramata Farmers’ Market offers more than just fresh produce. It offers a glimpse into the community that makes this little village so special.
With 52 vendors, including food trucks, the market celebrates everything grown, raised, baked and handcrafted in the South Okanagan. You’ll find just-picked fruits and vegetables, artisan breads and baked goods, handcrafted skincare, original artwork, jewellery, wine, cider, beer and spirits, all made by the people standing behind the tables.
And if you arrive hungry, you’re in luck. From slow-smoked brisket and barbecue to cabbage rolls, poutine, Indian food and sweet treats, there’s no shortage of reasons to stay for dinner.
Market Manager Philip Solman believes the atmosphere is what keeps people coming back.
“It’s a market for people who love farmers’ markets but like a slightly more relaxed farmers’ market in the summer,” he says. “We get a great turnout, but it never feels too crowded.”
That relaxed pace is something nearly every vendor mentioned when asked what makes the market unique.
“I love the environment here,” says Emily Nunes of Easy Earth Farm in Summerland, whose vegetables are sold exclusively at the Naramata Market. “It’s so relaxed near the beach. It’s a nice place to come. It’s Naramata. There is no stress here.”
Heather Fogarty of Lakeview Emporium agrees.
“It’s the community and the friendly faces we see every week. It’s special.”
That sense of connection is everywhere.
For Harleen Dhillon of Dhillon Farms, the market is about relationships built over time.
“Seeing the regulars we’ve had for four or five years now is really special,” she says. “As farmers, it is a lot of hard work, so it’s really nice when people want to support us. We love doing what we do.”
Tim Bouwmeester of Desert Flower Honey harvests from more than 100 beehive colonies along the Naramata Bench.
“I think it’s a great location right by the beach. You can get some nice fruits and vegetables. The people are very nice.”
Just a few booths away, Joseph Ciaramella of CC Orchards, whose family grows cherries on trees that are more than a century old, appreciates the slower pace.
“The neighbourhood market is nice. It’s in the afternoon. It’s near the beach. It’s quaint.”
Those words came up again and again throughout the afternoon.
Quaint.
Peaceful.
Friendly.
Connected.
“It’s more low-key,” says Brenda Collier of Herbal Alchemist Apothecary, who grows and forages medicinal herbs to create natural skincare products. “People are not in a hurry. There is no pressure to buy quickly because there’s a lineup. It’s more peaceful.”
The market is also a place where creativity flourishes.
Megan Traicheff, owner of Hammock Hounds Pet Products and Art of Bluebird Hollow, showcases both her pet products and whimsical watercolour artwork.
“My dad is an artist, so he put a paintbrush in my hand as soon as I could hold one,” she says.
Alex Espinosa and Sheila Camarena, creators of fresh Mexican salsas, say it’s the people who make the market unforgettable.
“It is really special because of all of the community feel,” says Espinosa. “Naramata has something special.”
“Naramata is magic,” adds Camarena. “The environment and the people are so kind and warm.”
Families are woven into every corner of the market.
Children can enjoy a dedicated play area with blankets, toys and books while Community Librarian Joanne Smiley hosts Storytime.
“Kids are people too,” she says with a smile. “It’s nice to have a quiet spot where they can slow down, play and just be kids.”
The market also gives young entrepreneurs an opportunity to shine.
Jordyn Mean and her cousin proudly sell homemade treats at the Naramata Cookie Hut.
“It’s really fun making them and selling them,” she says.
Whether you’re picking up ingredients for dinner, searching for one-of-a-kind gifts, tasting local wine or simply spending an evening by the lake, the Naramata Farmers’ Market is about far more than shopping.
It’s about meeting the people who grow your food, make your gifts and pour their hearts into everything they create.
Bring your reusable shopping bags. Pack a picnic blanket or lawn chair. Come hungry, stay for dinner, listen to the live music and soak in one of the most beautiful summer evenings you’ll find anywhere in the Okanagan.
Because once you’ve experienced the Naramata Farmers’ Market, you’ll understand why everyone who spends time here describes it the same way.
It’s a special place.
Naramata Farmers’ Market
- Every Wednesday, June through September
- 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Manitou Park, Naramata
- Visitors are encouraged to carpool, bring reusable shopping bags and stay to enjoy dinner from the local food vendors.