Spring Fling at the Stables raises funds for Community Resource Centre

Inaugural event brings vendors, community groups to Grand River Raceway

April 22, 2024 @ 3:38 pmNews

Three-year-old Leif Stewart from Elora donned safety goggles to decorate the cardboard house constructed in the Kid Zone at the Spring Fling at the Stables on April 20 at the Grand River Raceway. The market was a fundraiser for the Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington. Photo by Robin George
Community Resource Centre board and staff members, from left, Ali Kane-DeCaire, Jessica Harrison, Nicole Stewart, Denise Pukarowski and Alyssandra Kent welcomed market-goers to Spring Fling at the Stables on April 20. Photo by Robin George
Sisters Vanessa, left, and Melissa Perdomo attended the Elora market, selling mostly items they made themselves, as well as some jewelry from El Salvador. Photo by Robin George
Charlotte Decaire sold homemade bracelets, ‘Loomies for Loonies,’ during the Community Resource Centre’s fundraiser market. Photo by Robin George
Two-year-old Queeni Brown of Fergus had fun playing on the little bouncy castle in the ‘kid’s zone’ at Spring Fling at the Stables. Photo by Robin George
Amelia, mom Heather and wee one Kendra Holst from Harriston took part in children’s activities. Photo by Bill Longshaw
Little ones deciding what their grandparents can buy for them at the Spring Fling at the Stables on April 20. Photo by Bill Longshaw
Kelly Thompson, owner of Keldee Creations, working while she is selling. Photo by Bill Longshaw
Kelly Thompson, from Orton, created and sold crocheted toys during the market. Photo by Robin George
Catherine Feren, of Stitched by Granny, sold her homemade hats during Spring Fling at the Stables on April 20. Feren is a Guelph local whose hats are also available at the weekly farmers’ markets in Rockwood and Elora. Photo by Robin George
A gentleman tries on hats at the Stitched by Granny booth. Photo by Bill Longshaw
Spring Fling at the Stables was the first market Sahara Rahman, left and Maddy Boison have attended as vendors. They sold bracelets the friends made together at home in Fergus. Photo by Robin George
These hens were crocheted by Mary Hiltz, left, and the Spring Fling at the Stables fundraiser was Hiltz’ first time attending selling her work at a market. She had the opportunity because her best friend, Jessica Lynn, invited her to join her photography booth. Photo by Robin George
Katlyn Allen, left, of Spoiled Cat Crochet and Michaela Allen of Sew on the Hedge came from Guelph to sell their homemade creations at the Community Resource Centre fundraiser. Photo by Robin George
Kevin Chamberlain, left, and Allie MacDonald volunteered during Spring Fling at the Stables to sell ducks for the annual Centre Wellington Rotary Duck Race on July 1. Photo by Robin George

ELORA – The inaugural Spring Fling at the Stables market at the Grand River Raceway on April 20 was a fundraiser for the Community Resource Centre (CRC) of North and Centre Wellington.

All proceeds will go towards community outreach and support services, including income tax for seniors and backpacks for school children, CRC executive director Alyssandra Kent told the Advertiser. 

“These programs are free, accessible and designed to level the playing field for the most vulnerable in our community,” organizers state. 

More than 70 vendors, including a section of “future visionaries” – vendors between 12 and 17 years old – set up in stalls. 

They sold mostly home-made items including candles, jewelry, accessories and stuffed animals. 

The Spring Fling at the Stables also included a ‘Resource Lane’ with representatives from Wellington County Emergency Management, Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County, the Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington, the Wellington County Learning Centre, Safe Communities Wellington County, and Second Chance Employment sharing information about services they offer. 

– With files from Bill Longshaw

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