Killaloe – The summer of 2024 will be remembered as one of the wettest on record with many of the rainstorms coming on weekends. And while temperatures have been unseasonably hot, the amount of rain that has fallen also been unusual.

Many weekends were spoiled with showers and last weekend was among them. But despite the precipitation and much colder temperatures, it did not stop almost 1,000 people from attending the second Taste of the Valley event of 2024 sponsored by the County of Renfrew and one of its municipalities. This time it was Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards Township’s turn to host a TOTV and it was the first time the event was held in the municipality.

Despite the inclement weather, there was a joyful atmosphere as some 60 vendors set up in the municipal parking lot and welcomed people throughout the day for five hours.

Craig Brooker of Brooker’s Cider from the Scotch Bush area of Bonnechere Valley Township, said he enjoys participating in the markets, adding it’s nice to get out to the different markets, see the different communities and see all the support for the vendors.

“Farmer’s markets around here are usually much smaller so it’s nice to see big markets like this,” he said.” I wish there were more of them. It tends to draw out the crowds which is really nice. It’s nice to meet new people and get the product out there.”

Mr. Brooker sells his products at two to three farmers’ markets a week and at special events like TOTV.

“It’s always hard to work around conflicts with other farmers’ markets but that’s just part of it. You just get it done.”

He joked he would be much happier if organizers could choose days when it’s not raining, but added there is no scheduling for the weather.

He said Taste of the Valley events tend to draw more people, regardless of the weather.

“If it was a nice sunny day, there would always be more people but there is still a good number of people,” he said during the noon hour when about 500 people had passed through the market.

He said all of vendors are local and they produce nice goods and items.

“I think inevitably people are going to come out to that and it’s really fun to be a part of,” he said.

KHR Mayor Dave Mayville was pleased as he walked through the market and talked to vendors and shoppers.

“Not only are there people just locally, but they have come from outside of the community to visit and see the vendors,” he said. “I think it has been an outstanding day considering the circumstances.”

Mayor Mayville said the market is great for the community, adding it was unfortunate the weather didn’t cooperate for the first time his municipality played host.

“Those are the cards you are dealt with,” he remarked.

KHR Community Development Coordinator Colton Charbonneau was also happy with the turnout despite the weather.

“It really shows the KHR spirit,” he remarked.

He gave a shout out to Scott Hamilton and the entire Renfrew County team, saying they “have been great to work with and great partners”.

Mr. Hamilton, the county’s Economic Development Coordinator, said no one can control the weather but noted people were still coming out with smiles on their faces and people were buying and enjoying the market. 

There are three TOTV markets left: in Petawawa on September 00, Cobden on October and the Christmas Market at the Renfrew Armouries in December.

Melissa Marquardt, the county’s Manager of Economic Development, said her team was happy to be in Killaloe “to celebrate all things that are grown and made here.

“This is always a really big event and brings out the community,” she said

Although the markets normally attract a couple of thousand people, the wet weather obviously affected the numbers in Killaloe, but it didn’t dampen spirits.

“It’s been the weather we’ve had all summer,” Ms. Marquardt said.