Getting into gift-seeking spirit

Craft fairs kick off holiday shopping season in Cape Breton

NORTH SYDNEY — Hundreds of Cape Bretoners got started on their holiday shopping this weekend in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Shoppers and vendors alike gathered at several craft fairs and sales from Nov. 17-19, more than a month ahead of Christmas Day but days away from Black Friday, considered by some to be the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season. One of the busiest fairs this weekend was hosted by the Home Crafters of Cape Breton at the Emera Centre Northside, a sale aptly dubbed “The Big One.” Every year, the event welcomes an average of 6,500 shoppers and around 200 vendors. Other events over the weekend include Deck the Halls, an artisan sale held at the St. Patrick’s Church Museum in Sydney and the Tartan Door Holiday Bazaar in Coxheath. The two used the weekend’s sales to fundraise for different causes: the former for multiple sclerosis and the latter for the Forrester Dancers dance team.