My first outdoor market was on Canada Day, and it was a scorcher. Jan (my ever-patient husband) and I set up our booth, a colourful display of fused glass lanterns and nightlights, pendants and plant stakes. The air hung heavy and humid, a stark contrast to the ominous grey clouds gathering on the horizon. The predicted thunderstorms felt a long way off as adorable dogs – from tiny dachshunds to majestic German Shepherds, from fluffy puppies to dignified seniors – paraded past, each one impeccably behaved, a testament to their owners’ diligent training.

There was a muscle and classic car show next door, its engines roaring like a chorus of contented lions, attracting a huge crowd, many of whom wandered over to the market, drawn in by the spectacle and the infectious buzz.

The sheer variety of people was astonishing. It was a diverse crowd – from toddlers in miniature Canada Day outfits, their tiny maple leaf hats askew, to seniors proudly sporting their own maple leaf hats, some with impressive collections of pins and badges. The market itself was a kaleidoscope of red and white – Canada Day celebrations were in full swing. Visitors sported a dizzying array of headgear: cowboy hats perched jauntily atop sun-kissed heads, baseball caps shadowing eager faces, and miniature Canadian flags bobbing.

The downpour arrived precisely at 2:00 pm, as predicted. I offered shelter under my tent to a family of 5, they huddled together, laughing and sharing stories, the young son was amazed by the shimmering glass night lights and was especially interested in the Scottish Terrier chasing a ball. It turns out it was his mother’s first dog. He would not put it down until his dad bought it for him.

The shower lasted about fifteen minutes, an intense burst of energy before abruptly ending. The sun blazed back down, hotter than ever, turning the market into a shimmering oven. The sudden shift was startling, transforming the damp coolness into a sweltering sauna.

The unexpected interruption, however, brought an unexpected boom – and many were astonished by the intricate detail of my lantern work. Jan, a true rock, tirelessly helped me sell, pack, and chat with customers throughout the day. His support was invaluable.

By the end of the day, we were utterly exhausted but exhilarated. The market was a kaleidoscope of colours, from the vibrant floral displays to the dazzling jewellery and the tempting food stalls. Every face was flushed with either the heat or the joy of the celebrations.

We grabbed pizza for dinner, enjoying the cool comfort of frozen salted caramel yogurt as we watched the Canada Day fireworks display on TV. The exhaustion was real, but the memory of the day, with its unexpected twists and turns, its canine parade and sudden downpour, its booming muscle cars and the happy shoppers captivated by our lanterns, would forever be cherished. It was, without a doubt, a memorable market debut.

downpour, its booming muscle cars and the happy shoppers captivated by our lanterns, would forever be cherished. It was, without a doubt, a memorable market debut.