Market Location: Waterwheel Square, Chemainus
Season: Wednesdays, June 3 to September 23, 2026
Market Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Setup: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Teardown: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Chemainus Wednesday Market is organized and managed by the Chemainus + District Chamber of Commerce.

Our goal is to provide a welcoming, safe, professional and well-organized market for vendors, residents and visitors. Participation in the market is subject to these rules and to reasonable direction provided by Chamber staff.

Market practices and arrangements may evolve from year to year as the market grows. Participation in a previous market or season does not create an ongoing entitlement to a particular space, vehicle arrangement, special accommodation or future acceptance.

1. Applications & Vendor Approval

All vendors must submit a completed Wednesday Market Vendor Application and receive approval from the Chemainus + District Chamber of Commerce before participating.
Submitting an application does not guarantee:

• Acceptance into the market

• A particular market date

• A particular stall location

• Vehicle access

• Electrical access

• Special arrangements

• Acceptance into future Chamber markets or events
   

Applications may be reviewed based on:

• Completeness of the application

• Suitability for the market

• Available space

• Product mix and duplication

• Safety considerations

• Required permits or documentation

• Previous attendance

• Previous conduct

• Compliance with market rules

• The overall needs of the event
   

Vendors may be asked to provide photographs, permits, certifications, insurance information or other supporting documentation.

The Chamber may limit the number of vendors selling similar products in order to maintain an appropriate and diverse vendor mix.

Each application will be considered individually. Returning vendors are not automatically guaranteed acceptance because they have participated in previous years.

All vendor approvals, rejections, wait-list decisions, placements and operating conditions remain at the discretion of the Chemainus + District Chamber of Commerce.

2. Products & Market Eligibility

The Wednesday Market follows a “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” philosophy and prioritizes artists, crafters, bakers, farmers, growers and producers who create, grow, bake or produce their own goods.
During July and August, manufactured goods, resale products and service-based businesses are not permitted unless specifically approved by the Chamber.
Vendors must accurately describe the products they intend to sell when submitting their application.
Only products approved as part of the vendor's application may be sold. Vendors wishing to introduce substantially different products must receive approval from the Chamber in advance.
The Chamber may limit duplicated or substantially similar product offerings in order to maintain variety within the market.

3. Food, Beverage & Organic Products

Food and beverage vendors are responsible for determining and complying with all applicable Island Health and provincial food-safety requirements for the products they intend to sell, sample, prepare or serve.
 
Before applying, food vendors should review:
 

• Island Health: Food Safety, Temporary Food Events & Markets
  BC Centre for Disease Control: Guidelines for the Sale of Food at Temporary Food Markets

The provincial guidelines contain examples of lower-risk and higher-risk foods and explain the requirements that apply to temporary food markets. Lower-risk food vendors generally do not submit an application to Island Health before selling, but the vendor and Market Manager are responsible for ensuring the products actually meet the lower-risk definition.

Higher-risk foods: Vendors selling higher-risk food require confirmation or approval from Island Health and must provide the Chamber with a copy of the applicable approval when requested.
 

• Application for Sale of Higher Risk Food at Temporary Food Markets

Food sampling and onsite preparation: Sampling lower-risk foods is permitted only when the applicable provincial temporary-market sampling requirements are followed. Vendors offering samples of higher-risk foods, or undertaking onsite food preparation such as cooking, reheating, hot-holding or assembling food, require a Temporary Food Service Permit.
 

• Temporary Food Service Application
   

Where FOODSAFE certification is required, vendors are responsible for ensuring that valid certification is in place. Island Health states that operators of food-service establishments must hold FOODSAFE Level 1 or an accepted equivalent, and FOODSAFE certificates issued in B.C. are valid for five years.
 

• FOODSAFE Information & Training

Approval to participate in the Wednesday Market does not replace or constitute approval from Island Health or any other regulatory authority. The Chamber's review of a vendor application is not a determination that a food product is lower-risk, higher-risk or otherwise compliant with health regulations.

The Chamber may request permits, approvals, FOODSAFE certificates, Letters of Confirmation or other applicable documentation before confirming or continuing a vendor's participation.

Organic products
Products marketed using the term “organic” must comply with applicable B.C. organic certification requirements. In B.C., “organic” is a protected label, and producers using that claim are expected to be able to provide proof of current certification where required.
 

• B.C. Organic Food & Beverage Policies

4. Vendor Placement

Vendor spaces are assigned by Chamber staff.

Full-season vendors who have booked and paid for all 17 market dates will generally be assigned a regular space for the season.

All other vendors should expect that their location may change from week to week based on availability and the needs of the market.

No vendor is guaranteed a particular location, even if they have occupied that location during previous markets or previous seasons.

Vendor placement may take into consideration:

• Vendor and product type

• Available space

• Safety

• Accessibility

• Electrical requirements

• Vehicle requirements

• Special events or activities

• Pedestrian flow

• Product mix

• The overall market layout
   

If your business has a particular operational requirement, such as access to electrical power, direct sunlight, shade, additional space, mobility accommodation or vehicle access, it must be disclosed when applying or booking.

The Chamber will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests where possible; however, special requests are never guaranteed.

5. Vendor Spaces & Equipment

Standard vendor spaces are approximately 10' × 10', unless otherwise assigned or approved by the Chamber.

Vendors are responsible for providing their own:

• Tent or shelter

• Tables

• Display equipment

• Signage

• Chairs

• Appropriate tent weights

• Extension cords or electrical equipment where approved

• Other equipment required to safely operate their stall
   

All tents, products, displays, equipment and other belongings must remain safely within the vendor's assigned area unless additional space has been approved.

Vendors must clearly display their business, farm or vendor name and maintain a clean, safe and attractive display.

Because this is an outdoor market, vendors are responsible for arriving prepared for changing weather conditions, including sun, heat, wind and rain. Appropriate shelter, tent weights, drinking water and other necessary supplies are the responsibility of the vendor.

6. Setup & Unloading

Vendor setup takes place between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Vehicles may enter the designated market area before the market opens for unloading.

Vendors must unload promptly and ensure their stall is fully stocked, safely set up and ready for customers by 10:00 a.m.

Once the market is open, vehicles may not be driven or left running within the active market area unless specifically authorized by Chamber staff.

7. Vehicles Within Vendor Spaces

A vehicle may remain within a vendor's assigned area only where permitted by Chamber staff and where the entire vehicle fits safely within the allocated space.
Vehicles must not:
 

• Extend beyond the vendor's allocated boundary

• Reduce or block a neighbouring vendor's usable space

• Interfere with access to another stall

• Obstruct pedestrian movement

• Obstruct emergency or operational access

• Create a safety concern
   

Oversized vehicles, including long trucks and SUVs, may only remain within the market if they fit properly within the assigned area.

If you are unsure whether your vehicle will fit, contact Chamber staff before market day so the situation can be reviewed. Otherwise, vendors should plan to park outside the market area.

Having a vehicle within the market is a privilege, not a guaranteed right.

Where vehicle parking creates ongoing safety, space or operational concerns, the Chamber may require an individual vendor to park elsewhere or may discontinue vehicle parking within the market entirely.

All vehicle-access decisions remain at the discretion of Chamber staff and may change based on safety, space, accessibility and market operations.

8. Vendor Parking

Vendor parking is not permitted:
 

• In the No Frills parking lot

• Directly in front of local brick-and-mortar businesses

• In parking spaces designated for Museum visitors

• In spaces reserved for customers, accessibility or other market operations
   

Public parking is available in surrounding areas, including Croft Street, Alder Street, Victoria Street and Chemainus Road.

Vendors are asked to leave convenient parking spaces available for customers, visitors and neighbouring businesses.

Parking immediately in front of the Visitor Centre is reserved for approved mobility-related accommodations and other authorized purposes.

It is not available for general convenience, unloading or preferred vendor access.

Mobility-related parking arrangements must be discussed with and approved by Chamber staff in advance.

9. Respectful Conduct

All vendors are expected to communicate and behave respectfully toward Chamber staff, volunteers, other vendors and members of the public.

Rude, abusive, dismissive, threatening, intimidating, bullying, discriminatory or persistently disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated.

Examples of unacceptable conduct include:

• Yelling, swearing at or insulting another person

• Speaking aggressively or confrontationally

• Personal attacks

• Bullying or intimidation

• Threatening behaviour

• Mocking, hostile or demeaning gestures or communication

• Repeatedly arguing about placement, parking or market instructions after a decision has been explained

• Sending hostile, insulting or disrespectful messages

• Refusing to follow reasonable market instructions or safety requirements

• Harassing another vendor

• Interfering with another vendor's space or business

• Speaking to staff, volunteers, vendors or members of the public in a demeaning or confrontational manner

• Aggressively attempting to draw customers away from another vendor's stall
   

Questions, concerns and disagreements are welcome and will be taken seriously, but they must be communicated calmly and respectfully.

Depending on the seriousness of the conduct, the Chamber may:

• Provide a verbal or written warning

• Direct the vendor to immediately correct the behaviour

• Require the vendor to leave the market

• Suspend the vendor from future market dates

• Decline the vendor's participation in future Chamber markets or events
   

Serious incidents may result in immediate removal without a prior warning.
Vendors removed because of misconduct may not be eligible for a credit or refund.

10. General Market Conduct

Vendors must:

• Keep their stall and surrounding area clean, sanitary and safe

• Keep products appropriately packaged and displayed

• Avoid interfering with neighbouring stalls or pedestrian traffic

• Clearly identify their business, farm or vendor name

• Refrain from smoking or vaping within the market area

• Refrain from consuming alcohol within the market area unless specifically authorized as part of an approved event

• Refrain from foul, abusive or disruptive language

• Obtain approval before using amplified music or sound equipment

• Follow reasonable instructions from Chamber staff relating to safety and market operations
   

The Chamber reserves the right to remove vendors whose conduct or operations are unsafe, unreasonable, disruptive or contrary to market rules.

11. Market Hours & Early Departure

Vendors are expected to remain open and operating until the market closes at 3:00 p.m.
Vendors may not begin packing up or leave the market early unless authorized by Chamber staff or unless an emergency or safety concern requires it.

Vehicles may not begin moving through the active market area before the market has closed unless specifically authorized by Chamber staff.

12. Attendance & No-Shows

Vendors are expected to attend the market dates they have booked.

We understand that illness, emergencies and unexpected circumstances happen. If you cannot attend, you must notify the Chamber as soon as possible.

Full-season vendors are expected to attend consistently because a market space is being held for them that may otherwise have been offered to another vendor.

After three no-shows without adequate notice, a vendor may be placed on probation and may lose their regular or assigned space.

Continued attendance concerns may result in:

• Reassignment of the vendor's regular space

• Suspension from future market dates

• Removal from the market

• Attendance history being considered when reviewing future applications
   

Reliable attendance and communication are essential.

13. Cancellations, Credits & Refunds

Vendors who cannot attend a booked market date must notify Chamber staff as early as possible and, whenever possible, no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Monday before the market.

Where adequate notice is provided, a credit toward a future Chamber market or event may be issued in certain circumstances at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Refunds will only be issued in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Executive Director.
Late cancellations, no-shows, removals for misconduct and unused booked spaces are generally not eligible for a credit or refund.

Credits and refunds are not guaranteed and will be considered based on the circumstances, notice provided and the operational impact on the market.

14. Electrical Power
Electrical access is limited and must be requested and approved in advance.

An additional $5 hydro fee applies where electrical service is provided.

Requesting electrical service does not guarantee availability.

Vendors using electrical equipment are responsible for ensuring that cords and equipment are safe, appropriate and do not create a tripping, electrical or fire hazard.

15. Teardown

Teardown begins at 3:00 p.m.

Before bringing a vehicle into the market area for loading, vendors should:

1. Pack their merchandise and equipment.

2. Collapse their tent.

3. Prepare their belongings for loading.

4. Wait until vehicle movement is safe and permitted.
    

Vendors are responsible for removing all garbage, packaging and other materials from their stall and surrounding area.

The market area must be cleared by 4:00 p.m.

16. Safety, Liability & Vendor Responsibility

Vendors are solely responsible for:

• Their products

• Their equipment and displays

• Their employees, helpers or assistants

• Their business practices

• Their personal property

• Compliance with applicable health, safety, licensing and regulatory requirements
   

Vendors are encouraged to maintain appropriate liability and product insurance.

By participating in the Wednesday Market, vendors agree to indemnify and save harmless the Chemainus + District Chamber of Commerce, its directors, employees, volunteers and agents from claims or losses arising from the vendor's products, equipment, business activities or participation in the market, except where otherwise provided by law.

17. Chamber Authority

The Chemainus + District Chamber of Commerce has authority to regulate market activities and make reasonable operational decisions relating to:
 

• Vendor approval

• Vendor placement

• Vehicle access

• Parking

• Safety

• Accessibility

• Product mix

• Market layout

• Special events

• Weather or emergency conditions

• Vendor conduct

• Compliance with market rules
   

Market practices, placements or arrangements permitted in previous years or on previous market dates do not create an ongoing entitlement or guarantee that the same arrangement will continue.
The Chamber may modify market operations where necessary to improve safety, organization, fairness or the overall operation of the event.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in a warning, removal from the market, suspension or denial of participation in future Chamber markets or events.

18. Agreement to the Rules

By submitting a Wednesday Market Vendor Application and participating in the market, the vendor confirms that they have reviewed and agree to comply with these Vendor Rules & Terms of Participation.
Failure to follow these rules may affect current or future participation in markets and events organized or supported by the Chemainus + District Chamber of Commerce.