Get in the holiday spirit at the Ten Thousand Villages festival sale in Ottawa

Ottawa Travel Guide

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Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:52

Looking for a unique souvenir or holiday gift when you travel to Ontario? Fair Trade Ottawa, a non-profit organization bent on ensuring that international manufacturers receive proper compensation for their quality goods, is hosting their Ten Thousand Villages festival sale in the hopes of raising awareness about fair trade initiatives throughout the Canadian capital. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 24, visitors can head to the Ottawa Mennonite Church on Kilborn Avenue to explore products that are ethically traded, and get to know more about how Ottawa is making it possible for communities around the world to earn what they deserve.

A little bit about Fair Trade Ottawa
Started in April of 2011, Fair Trade Ottawa began recruiting volunteers to organize community outreach events, including the Ten Thousand Villages festival sale, to inform residents and visitors about the importance of this global initiative. By seeking help from local council, the group has already made numerous fair trade products available throughout the city while also highlighting sustainable and environmentally conscious goods.

Visitors who want to participate in this movement need only make their way to the festival sale in November to see what all the commotion is about and make smart purchases for the common good.

Fair trade products to look out for
Holiday shoppers can easily search for fair trade items throughout the Canadian capital, including fruits and vegetables, beauty products and handicrafts. The Fair Trade Jewellery Company, which is based in Toronto, is one example of the type of exhibitor visitors may expect when they arrive at the festival sale. Each of these gorgeous pieces, which range from wedding rings to necklaces and pendants, are made with the hard-working miners in mind, and much of the profits go back to ensuring mining families have comfortable living situations.

What to expect during the festival sale
Along with dozens of exhibitors who will showcase their fairly traded products, from handcrafted items to unique international food, there will also be numerous other activities to do during this year's festival sale. As visitors peruse aisles of vendors, they can also sip on warm drinks that will soothe their soul, as well as savour spoonfuls of delicious homemade borscht soup.