Scenes from the December 1st Outdoor Market

The December 1^st Really Really Free Market was another successful event made wonderful by the love and support of its enthusiasts and Campbell Park! This was our first outdoor winter market and despite the chilly weather, we had a good turnout and a warm campfire that kept us and our spirits toasty all day!  Thanks again to those people who donated firewood, tended to the fire, and sang sweet music to us by the heat!

It was great to see people who had been to the RRFM before and to meet new visitors.   A few first-timers were walking along Campbell Ave and noticed our sandwich board and were quickly drawn in by the cozy campfire smell and crowd of people enjoying some hot chocolate while exploring winter clothes, stacks of books, computer stuff, a bike rack, holiday decorations and supplies, and even a wooden toddler’s sled!  Thank you Campbell Park Staff for what seemed like a never-ending pot of hot chocolate and some tasty cookies.

We had a few people sign up for our monthly newsletter and some to volunteer for the RRFM.  Two people stated they would like to share skills and provide free services at the next Market (hint hint: don’t pack those bicycles away too quickly!).  We always appreciate the support and helping hands!  If you would like to get involved or find out more about us, please send a friendly email to rrfmarket@gmail.com.

Happy Holidays everyone and see you on January 5^th!

(Here's a peek of what it looked and felt like on December 1st:)

Holiday-themed outdoor market by the fire-pit (Indoors if it rains): 1st of December, 10-4!!

We hope that the fans of Really Really Free Market are as excited about our fire-side market as we are. In the spirit of the new season, coming holidays, and the re-opening of the hockey rink, we suggest that the participants of the market think about:

WINTER!

Hats, gloves & mittens, scarves, earmuffs, leg-warmers, ski boots, goggles, sleds......

FIREWOOD!
The more firewood we have, the longer we can keep the firepit going.
 

HOLIDAYS!

Candles, incense, decorations, indoor games, gift-wrapping stuff, wreaths, table-cloths, tea-towels... The community centre will welcome Christmas trees as well.

 HOCKEY! Hockey helmets, skates, and other hockey gear that are in good enough shape to be used by the participants of the Campbell Park Hockey Rink....

 SMALL! This time we will only have a few tables and maybe a clothing rack. Remember that the Really Really Free Market has no storage space, and has to transport leftovers (often on foot or by TTC) to charities (only to ones that do not sell the stuff). That will be harder to do in the winter than it was in the summer, and almost impossible for large items, so please be mindful of that when you bring stuff. A couple of  exception are faux Christmas trees, which the Park itself would like a have a couple of, and sleighs. And when you bring items please bring those that are in good condition, reasonably clean, and usable. 

Don't forget that Campbell Park is going to be having a dinner event to celebrate the re-opening of the skating rink.

Our first indoor market at the Park!

Saturday, November 3, the weather was friendlier than we expected, the sun keeping watch over us almost all day. But just to be safe, and foster mingling and conversation (which was so great to see happen), this time we set up the market  indoors. Thanks go out to Campbell Park for allowing us to use their warm and cozy community space.

The turnout was great. We had first-timers (one of which was walking by with her partner and upon seeing the sign, recalled the Really Really Free Market she had been in Singapore and wanted to check us out), second-timers, third-timers, fourth-timers, and fifth-timers.  Many participants came more than once during the day.

We also met the facilitator and some members of a meetup group named Budget. We found out that when the facilitator discovered us online, she immediately added it to her line-up of free and low-cost events in Toronto. It's exhilirating to hear of all the places that advertise us without us even knowing about it. Last month for example, we found out that someone had added us to the Couchsurfers' events list. We have been also very fortunate to be mentioned several times on CBC Radio One, among many other media outlets.

Here are a few scenes from our November market. We would love to add photos taken at the market by other market participants.Please e-mail us your photos, or share them on Facebook!

Community feedback

We asked the participants of our 4th market at Campbell Park to provide feedback on our markets by dropping a note on our "We love you, Really Really Free Market @ Campbell Park" thank-you poster. Here are some of the comments.

Thank you, Campbell Park staff, neighbourhood supporters, volunteers, and participants for making a great fourth market day of 2012. 

See you at our next Really Really Free Market, November 3rd, 2012, from 10 am to 6 pm @ Campbell Avenue Park—Toronto.

Saturday October 6th, 2012 Pictures

Click here to find more photos of what was at the market!  

Volunteer with Us

We are often asked, "Who are you?"  We're simply people interested in waste reduction, reuse, connecting people, and sharing.  We're not employed by the City, the Park, or anyone.  The Really Really Free Market happens every month because a few people volunteer their time and enthusiasm.

If you'd like to work with us, feel free to e-mail us at rrfmarket@gmail.com.  Some areas we regularly need help in are:

• Letting others know about market
• Setting up market (tables, shelves, signs, etc.) 
• Being at the market to orient people and keep materials organized
• Folding and putting away tables, chairs, signs, etc. when the market is over
• Packing up end-of day leftovers for donation sites 
• Delivering end-of-day leftovers to donation sites

We have regular meetings during the month that you're welcome to attend.  Email us for the times and locations.

Another way to support the RRFM is to tell all the people you know and meet.  You can put a flyer in your office, by your window, or at your favourite restaurant, cafe, or laundro-mat.  The posters on this blog are printable and e-mailable.  You're also welcome to make your own!

We hope to see you at the next RRFM or at our meetings.

Thank you, Campbell Park staff, neighbourhood supporters, volunteers, and participants for making a great third market day of 2012. 

See you at our next Really Really Free Market, October 6th, 2012, from 10 am to 6 pm @ Campbell Avenue Park—Toronto.

Saturday September 1st, 2012 Pictures  

We would love to hear from you...
-Join us on our Facebook page
-Follow us on Twitter @RRFMtoronto
-Leave a comment on the RRFMarket's Forum
-Send us an email at rrfmarket@gmail.com for a monthly newsletter

Someone asked about what happens to market left-overs.  You don't have to take your things back; we will donate items to appropriate organizations.  We have chosen organizations that won't sell or profit from these items, thereby continuing the spirit of generosity, reuse, and sharing.  These are the places we've chosen:

Sistering: clothes, craft supplies, office supplies, unopened/unused toiletries

Free Geek: electronics

Wallace Emerson Community Centre: books and media

ARTSJUNKTION: the really random items

The Redwood: unopened/unused toiletries, new/gently used linens, new/gently used cutlery

*If you know of a place that will accept items and use them for non-proprietary purposes, feel free to post suggestions in our 'comments' section or e-mail us.