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The heat was welcome in Crescent Park on Canada Day for ParkArt 2025, which was packed for Moose Jaw’s largest outdoor art market and the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery’s (MJMAG) top annual fundraiser.
This year’s event featured around 80 vendors and thousands of visitors browsing pottery, paintings, jewelry, photography, and handmade crafts — all against a backdrop of face painting, free family activities, and live performances by buskers.
For returning artist Beth Crabb, a basket weaver who first showed at ParkArt years ago and came back after a long break, the day was more about connection than sales.
“I was in Moostletoe last fall and that was just so much fun, I thought — yeah, it’s time for me to come back to ParkArt,” Crabb said.
“My husband said it’s been a hug fest. And that’s exactly what it’s been. Seeing lots of people, getting our hugs in, making a few sales — it’s all good.”
Crabb, who’s been weaving for 34 years and teaching for 25, sells hand-dyed baskets, willow soap dishes, and abstract wall weavings. Most of her work uses rattan, dyed with highly colourfast Procion MX fiber-reactive dyes. She's well known in the community for teaching classes at the MJMAG, putting on exhibitions, and with the Moose Jaw Art Guild.
A few stalls down, Alana Rempel — tattoo artist and owner of Against the Grain Studios — was working her first ParkArt as a vendor.
“I’ve been here almost every year except during COVID,” she said. “But this is our first time with a booth. And honestly? It’s way busier than I expected. I wish I’d brought more stuff.”
“Even this top part of the park is bumping,” she added. “I didn’t think it would be, but it really is.”
Visitors also came from out of province—including Trinity Baker, who grew up in Moose Jaw but now lives in Vancouver.
“I actually planned my trip around ParkArt,” Baker said. “I grew up coming here every year, and it’s a lot busier than I remember. I’m proud of the city, honestly — just seeing everybody come out and support small businesses.”
Baker’s mom, Kim Ruten, said it was her first ParkArt in two years.
“It’s a highlight for us. I had to miss it last year and I was so sad. Now we get to do this together again, like old times,” she said. “We always look for jewelry because Trinity makes jewelry. But really, we just love art — and it’s a good cause. It supports the art gallery.”
This year’s ParkArt ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 1, with paid admission supporting MJMAG’s exhibits and programs. Organizers say it continues to be one of the largest Canada Day events in southern Saskatchewan.