Only 12 hours after Otter Lakers closed their doors on the last of this Halloween’s trick-or-treaters, they were flooding the town’s Raymond Johnston Community Centre for the region’s first Christmas market of the holiday season – the Otter Lake Christmas Craft and Vendor show. 

And for market organizer Crystal Dubeau, this meant little sleep. She spent Friday night hosting a trick-or-treating event for kids at Rumours Restaurant, which she owns. 

“And then right after that I came here to work on Christmas,” she said. “We always do the first Saturday of November. It just happens this year that it was the day right after Halloween.” 

Some 40 vendors, almost all from the Pontiac, packed into the hall, selling everything from crocheted clothing to wooden signs and home-baked treats. 

Dubeau also had a table set up at the market for her business Bella Vita Creations, selling all sorts of engraved and printed products.

She said the Christmas market has been a staple in the community for some 15 years. Last year, the market was so popular she decided to organize a second in the same holiday season. 

“We have a waiting list of people who want to get on,” Dubeau said, explaining tables were given on a first-paid, first-served basis. 

Money raised by the table sales is used to support a variety of charity organizations, including Operation Christmas Child and putting together gift bags she gives out to unhoused people in the city. 

“We give wherever we feel like we should,” Dubeau said.