LOCAL IS SWEET: Dessert Tasting, Talks & Film
WHEN: Saturday, November 8, 3:00pm-6:00pm
WHERE: Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus, Mary Hall & Shambhala Hall, Nelson
Calling All Sweet Makers! Join us for Local is Sweet—a one-of-a-kind Dessert Tasting Expo celebrating the region’s finest treat creators. Happening at Mary Hall in Nelson, this indulgent afternoon invites local vendors to showcase their creations, connect directly with dessert lovers, and offer bite-sized samples to sweet-toothed participants. With a ticket-based pay-per-bite tasting system, vendors are reimbursed per sample sold. The event is free to the public, driving maximum foot traffic just before a feature film screening next door at Shambhala Hall. Whether you’re launching a new flavor, promoting your brand, or looking to boost sales, this is your moment to shine. Spots are limited—secure your table and share your sweet story with a community ready to fall in love with local!
DESSERT TASTING EXPO
WHEN: 3:00pm-4:30pm (fine to go until 5:00PM… but note that the feature film will commence at 4:30PM @ Shambhala Hall)
WHERE: Mary Hall, Selkirk College, Tenth Street Campus, Nelson (DIRECTIONS)
WHAT: Immediately following the Farmers Market (10am-3pm). Local vendors will showcase their business and products and prepare bite-sized treats. The focus for the event are the bite-sized treats and for participants to meet the makers, but vendors are permitted to have a selection of products for sale.
HOW: Free event open to the public. Participants will purchase tickets from event staff at $2/ticket. Vendors are required to prepare individual items within this price point (*minus credit card fees). Vendors are welcome to offer portions that require multiple tickets, however we are wishing for participants to grab a ‘bite’ from as many vendors as possible.
At the close of the event, vendors will submit collected tickets to event staff. Event staff will confirm totals with vendors and prepare a signed record of the total tickets collected. The event will reimburse vendors via e-transfer within two weeks. Credit card processing fees will be calculated as a combined total cost to the event and subtracted proportionately from each vendor’s reimbursement. Cash payouts may be available pending availability.
Any other products for sale by vendors will be processed by the vendor.
VENDOR FEE: $50 (or free for vendors participating in Saturday Public Market)
LOGISTICS: Refrigerator and freezer space available on-site. We anticipate 150 people over the 1.5 hours. Based on our projected number of vendors and the cost per ticket, we’re projecting vendors will want to have between 65-85 portions available (if sticking with the $2/portion ticket price). We’d advise fewer portions if the vendor values the item at 2x tickets ($4).
We will distribute plates, napkins, forks, spoons.
A table will be provided. All vendors are responsible for table linens and serving ware.
CONSIDERATIONS: Vendors participating in the Public Market portion of the day (10am-3pm) are welcome to maintain their location in the venue until the close of the Dessert Tasting Expo. Vendors participating in both the Public Market and the Dessert Tasting will be allocated a space in the venue adjacent to one another. This will allow organizers the option to engage the room’s dividing walls so vendors from the Public Market are able to disassemble without disrupting the tasting event.
Dessert showcase only participants should register under Public Market ticket, your needs and opt in/out of specific portions of the day will be specified during the post registration form.
SHOW & TELL
WHEN: 3:45pm-4:15pm
WHERE: Mary Hall, Selkirk College, Tenth Street Campus, Nelson
WHAT: Short talks from local dessert and coffee personalities. Talks will take place during the dessert tasting in an adjacent room.
FILMS
WHEN: 4:30pm-6:00pm
WHERE: Shambhala Hall, Selkirk College, Tenth Street Campus, Nelson
WHAT: Feature-length dessert-themed film and a selection of short films profiling local businesses. Ticketed event.