Cosmos Seniors Centre craft and trade fair on Saturday attracted 48 vendors

Saturday's Swing into Spring craft and trade fair at the Cosmo Seniors' Centre was a success according to those involved.
The 48 tables featured vendors hawking all sorts of wares, but the homemade baked goods were among the most popular, to which Betty Smith attested.
Her massive pile of tasty treats - which took her three days to produce - had been significantly diminished by early afternoon, including her cinnamon buns, which had completely vanished.
"It's been a great day," she said. This was her first time back at the fair in three years, as it was too much work given her employment with a caterer.
"When you get up at 4:30 a.m. for work, this isn't that much fun," she said, gesturing to the spread of goodies on her table.
But delicious grub wasn't the only thing on hand. Matilda Mintenko and her display of handcrafted textile items - which included Pot Holder Heaven - also garnered interest.
Mintenko also sells her wares once a month with the Moose Jaw Crafters Guild at the Town 'n' Country Mall, but she enjoys the atmosphere at the centre.
One interactive vendor display was Biofeedback Balancing kiosk, where Jane Kerr was offering free 15 minute sessions on her massage bed, which uses heat and rollers to realign the spine.
"As the heat reaches the muscles, you will feel your back relax more," explained Kerr. She said only a few bold customers took her up on the demo offer.
"Not a lot of people wanted to lay down (but) I've been handing out a lot of coupons," she said. "It's something we've been watching for a number of years."
The fair has been a regular occurrence since 1998, when co-ordinator Leila Duffin suggested that the centre hold a craft sale rather than making the trek up to the mall. That year the fair featured seven tables and has grown since then.
"It's been getting bigger and better every year."
The vendors purchased the table space from the centre, which uses the fair as a fundraiser.
"We use it for everything," co-ordinator Eunice Rivers said of the money raised. "We have a new bar, we're getting new flooring, we've got new windows. It adds up."
The centre plans to hold another fair in September, and 30 tables are already reserved.

Taylor Lambert can be reached at 691-1260.