Our annual celebration of Prairie food, drink and culture returns to Calgary next month and we are counting down the days.
From our general market layout and accessibility to a full list of vendors, musicians and special after-hours events, here's everything you need to know about the 2021 Prairie Grid Market.
What to expect
Presented in partnership with Calgary Co-op as well as Park Distillery and Carter Cadillac, the Prairie Grid Market will operate on Saturday, October 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no entry fee for attendees. People are encouraged to RSVP via Showpass (at no charge) to help us minimize wait times throughout the day due to reduced capacity limits related to current pandemic protocols.
Safely spread out across two levels of the Carter Cadillac Dealership as well as partially outdoors (weather permitting), the market has much to explore. Live music is set to take place outdoors while all food and drink vendors can be found on both levels of the dealership.
COVID-19 protocols
As per Alberta Health Services' new COVID-19 protocols that begin September 20, 2021, all attendees (and vendors, performers, organizers et al.) of Prairie Grid Market must provide proof of vaccination–or a negative COVID-19 test taken within the past 72 hours of attending market–to be inside of the market.
Again, although this market is free admission, we are asking attendees to RSVP for 90 minute time frames via Showpass to adhere to reduced capacity limits currently in place by AHS.
Parking
People are encouraged to park in the large parking lot across Heritage Drive, approximately two minutes walking distance from Carter Cadillac. Find directions to this lot on Google Maps here.
Accessibility
For people with limited mobility or with small children in strollers, there is an elevator available for upper level access. There is also a limited number of parking stalls in front of and to the side of the dealership, available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Vendors
Our food and drink marketplace is made possible with the help of Calgary Co-op. Market attendees can expect to pick up a complimentary Cal & Gary branded reusable bag for all their shopping needs while exploring the 30 different vendors at the Prairie Grid Market.
Here is a comprehensive list of vendors, which may also be added to in the coming weeks.
Calgary Heritage Roasting Company
Popo's Chili Oil by Carmen Cheng
CKP Calgary (charity)
Last Best Brewing and Distilling
Not In My City (charity)
Skipping Stone Foundation (charity)
Women In Need Society (charity)
*Lost Dogs will be operating as our main hot food vendor, offering a selection of tasty hot dogs in a space adjacent to the live music and seating area
**Made By Marcus will be serving one flavour of ice cream created exclusively for the market
Live music schedule
No pop-up market is complete without some quality live music and, lucky for you, we've got some great Alberta-based talent performing over the course of the weekend.
This outdoor stage and seating area is made possible with the help of PARK Distillery and will feature a popup bar serving fun cocktails using their spirits as well as local craft beer, cider and more. Lost Dogs will be serving up their acclaimed (and very delicious) hot dogs here as well. So grab a hot dog, a bevvy and soak up some tunes.
Saturday, Oct. 9
12:00 p.m. - Alex Hughes
1:00 p.m. - Robert Adam
2:00 p.m. - ZENON
Sunday, Oct. 10
12:00 p.m. - Megan Dawson
1:00 p.m. - Jon MacAulay
2:00 p.m. - Ashley Ghostkeeper
The details for our 2021 Prairie Grid Dinner
The 2021 Prairie Grid Dinner (6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8) - $80, drink pairings available for an additional $40
Our 5-course chef collaboration dinner features food by Garrett Martin (Major Tom), Christie Peters (Primal, Saskatoon), Quinn Staple (Hotel Arts Group) and Jinhee Lee (JINBAR). High Line Brewing bar manager Kaitlyn Alonday will utilize a unique mix of Prairie-made spirits, cider, and beer to create fun optional drink pairings.
Pre-dinner cocktail hour starts at 6:30 p.m. and features live music by Brettyn Rose. Tickets can be purchased via Showpass–at the time of publishing there are only 14 seats left for this dinner.
