Free admission makes a difference to fair vendors

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 25, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

While many think of Whoop-Up Days as an opportunity to enjoy carnival food and fair rides, it is also an opportunity to support a variety of vendors taking part in the marketplace.
For some vendors the Whoop-Up Days marketplace has become a yearly tradition and a great opportunity to showcase their wares, especially this year with hundreds of people stoping by thanks to a free admission.
Such is the case for Lorna Rudd, who has been taking part in Whoop-Up Days for a decade and said she has definitely seen a difference in attendance this year.
“The free admission I think made a big difference, I really do, because I had friends that when the price went up so high, they weren’t going to come because it was too expensive to bring everybody, and they came the first day and yesterday. I know that they wouldn’t have come if it had not been free,” said Rudd.  
She said throughout the years she has been able to create connection that have resulted in repeat business from loyal customers attending Whoop-Up Days.
“This started out as a hobby that went crazy on me. We retired from farming, and I had to do something, so I decided I would do crafts and it’s expanded too much, I’m cutting back,” said Rudd.
 She said everything she sells she has made, and she tries to have enough variety so everyone coming through her booth can take something back with them.
 “I make a lot of jewelry myself but I’m also a very big rockhound, so I have a lot of rocks, minerals and specimens as well as finished product,” said Rudd.
A vendor sharing some similarities in their products, but on the opposite end of the spectrum in Whoop-Up Days marketplace experience from Lorna Rudd, is Brag Bracelets run by two teenaged girls taking part of the marketplace for the first time.
Brooke Brodoway and Morgan Groves spoke to the Herald while making bracelets to replenish their stock on Thursday afternoon and said they were very happy with how well they have done so far.
“This is our first time here, it’s been pretty good and me and my partner Morgan we’ve been doing this for almost two years together,” said Brodoway.
 She explained their business started by making bracelets together for fun and one day deciding to start selling them.
 “I have a passion for jewelry, and I’ve always liked making it for myself, and I thought it would be nice to be able to share that passion with other people, and to be able to sell them so people can have fun jewelry that they can love and be confident in,” said Brodoway.
 Groves said they have seen many people stop by, including some of her mother’s friends.
 “We’ve been here for two days, and we’ve done pretty well I would say,” said Groves.
 She said even though their business name is Brag Bracelets, they are also selling rings and necklaces that they make with beads.
 “Kids have gone more for the necklaces and rings, and adults more for the bracelets. We sell crystal bead bracelets the most,” said Groves.

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