Event Details:

Clarington is inviting everyone in our community—and beyond—to celebrate, support, and experience the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit of Black-owned businesses at Clarington’s second annual Black Vendor Village!

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, 2440 Highway 2, Bowmanville

Shopping, entertainment, food and more!

The Black Vendor Village is more than just shopping; it’s an experience for the whole family and a chance to honour and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the Black community.

Event highlights

10 to 11 a.m.

• Opening ceremony, featuring MC Tracy J
• Welcoming remarks from Mayor Foster, Regional Councillor Granville Anderson, and Clarington’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force
• Live performance by Fit and Dance Dimensions
• Live performance by Durham District School Board Lift You Voice Choir
• Live performance by Ngoma Dance and Drum Ensemble
• Community quilt unveiling by Nadine Williams, in honour of The International Decade for People of African Descent

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Steelpan performances by Daniel Lovell
• Explore over 50 vendors featuring fashion, jewelry, handcrafted goods, beauty products, food, arts, candles, and professional services.
• The talented Ameera McIntosh, aka DJ Dreadie Love, will play a wide range of music all day.
• Durham Community Health Centre’s mobile clinic van will be on-site in the parking lot for anyone wanting to access clinical, wellness and health education services.
• Explore the Durham Region Transit Black History Month Bus, featuring powerful quotes celebrating Black history and achievements.

Why events like this matter

The Black Vendor Village is about more than just shopping—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and community connection. Events like this play an important role in highlighting the contributions of underrepresented groups while addressing systemic barriers that have historically limited opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. The Black Vendor Village is an opportunity for Black-owned businesses in Clarington and Durham to showcase their incredible talents, creativity, and contributions to our community. It’s also an opportunity for the entire community to come together and celebrate our diversity and the values that make Clarington a place where everyone feels valued and celebrated.

The Municipality of Clarington would like to acknowledge and thank Ontario Power Generation for its support through the Ontario Power Generation Power for Change Project, which supports grassroots initiatives in the communities where OPG operates.

The Municipality of Clarington is proud to host this event in partnership with the Region of Durham and Clarington Library, Museums and Archives as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable community where everyone feels welcome.

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