With the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the Farmers Gate Market. Now in its fifth year the farmers market convenes every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. outside of Roberts Creek Hall.

The market provides a place for local vendors to gather and sell their goods. This laid back setting allows community members and visitors a chance to meet in a friendly and fun setting. The market is a great place to find local organic produce, eggs, baked goods, preserves and much more. You can also find local made art, jewellery and trinkets on for sale.

Farmer's Market Nutrition Coupon Program

This year's Farm Gate Farmers Market has partnered with the Farmer's Market Nutrition and Coupon (FMNCP) program. The FMNCP provides low-income families and seniors with coupons they can spend at their local farmer's market.

Join Us on Wednesday Afternoons

So come by and join us every Wednesday and experience new events every week such as: local musicians, cooking demonstrations and various children's activities. The farmer's market is a great way to help the environment and support your local producers.

The Farm Gate Market takes place every Wednesday from April 3 until October 30.

Remember always bring your own bags and small bills to make transactions easier.

When: Every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. (April 3 - Oct 30)
Where: Outside Roberts Creek Hall

Just a friendly reminder the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run is filling up fast. The 36th annual Half-Marathon & Relay doesn't take place until April 7 but the race is already filling up and won't take any more than 700 individuals - that includes relay members.

For those that don't know about the race it's a 21 KM half marathon that can be run, walked or run in relay teams of 2 or 4. The race is run along the Sunshine Coast highway and the Lower Road hugging much of the coastline along the way. Large sections of the road will be marked off for runners on race day allowing plenty of room for participants.

The race has become wildly popular over the years and attracts runners from the coast and all over BC. Local news coverage always airs the race live and spectator's line the streets to support the racers.

As always the April's Fools Race encourages racers to have a bit of fun. Racers are encouraged to dress up in their wackiest costumes take part in the race. Following the event there will be special prize awarded to the best race day costume.

Entry Fees are listed below

Individual Half Marathon: $50 after Mar 15
2 Person Relay: $60 after Mar 15
4 Person Relay: $90 after Mar 15

Post Race

Following the race there will be an awards ceremony held at Mission Point Park located near the finish line. Medals will be presented to the Top 3 Open and Masters categories, followed by top local finishers, then Best Costume, and finally the Grand Draw Prize Getaway Package. The winner of the Best Costume category will be decided by crowd applause/cheering.

When the race and awards ceremony are finished racers are encouraged to join everyone in down town Gibsons for a pint and a meal. Official after race parties will be held at Gramma's Pub and Molly's Reach. Take the time to relax and reflect on the wonderful day at hand.

More Info

For more information on the April's Fool Run including registration and race day details head on over to the Aprils Fool's Race website.

Local Brewer Wins Alibi Room Competition

Home beer brewer and local Gibsons resident Jeff Hay Roe has crafted a beer fit to be poured alongside the best home brews in Canada. Jeff recently entered a competition run by the Alibi Room, Howe Sound Brewing and VanBrewers that was seeking out the best home brew beer around.

The Alibi Room located on Main Street and East 6th in downtown Vancouver specializes in the best home brews Canada has to offer. To honour the 400th tap rotation the Alibi put out a calling for Canada's best home brews. Hundreds entered including the Sunshine Coasts Hay-Roe who was selected as one of the few brews to be featured on tap.

Winning the competition means Jeff's brew called London Town Brown Ale, will have a 2,000 litre batch brewed by Howe Sound Brewing.

“I’m pretty excited. It’s quite an honour,” Hay-Roe said.

In addition to being featured at the downtown pub Jeff says Howe Sound Brewing may make a couple of cases available here on the Coast.

“One of the owners of Howe Sound Brewing told me they will probably be able to get some cases of the bottled beer to the Blackfish and Lighthouse private liquor stores,” Hay-Roe said.

So keep your eyes and ears open next time you walk through the liquor store as Jeff's locally created product may be hitting a self near you.