A very Roselawn Christmas returns

The Friends of Roselawn Centre have just the thing to get people into the Christmas spirit this weekend as their local artisan market returns.

Now in its fifth year, the Friends of Roselawn Centre Christmas Market is a fundraiser to support the group’s arts and culture programming at the former mansion, which is home base of Showboat Festival Theatre.

Friends treasurer Pat Bowman said the group, which also raises funds for restoration work on the historic building, runs a number of arts workshops there to keep the place busy. It’s important to have activity at the centre yearround, she said.

“It keeps it full,” she said. “The more arts and culture programming taking place there, the more people come through. It keeps it sustainable.”

The market features the work of 30 local artisan vendors. The building will also be decorated to create a festive holiday atmosphere, with a special display this year of an illuminated cardboard city created a few years ago by arts organization Brainkite Artistic Solutions.

There will be an opportunity to tour the historic building, with refreshments served in the heritage bar, and musician Doug Mundy on the jazz piano in the lounge area.

The market runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Roselawn is at 296 Fielden Ave. For more information email friendsofroselawn@gmail.com.