Heart of Oxford Experience’s vendor participation and community support continues to grow

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

The ultimate one-stop shop for everything Oxford County returns once again.

The Heart of Oxford Experience will run on Nov. 8 at the Oxford Auditorium between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. In partnership with Community Futures Oxford, there will be around 70 local vendors selling products made in Oxford County, food vendors, a pint and prosecco truck, and all-day live music. Local rock band Ghost Town Citizen will perform during happy hour from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“It's such a fun day. Like there's live music all day long - how can you not want to come and enjoy that?” said event founder Kirsten Young. “Plus, all the vendors. I think a lot of people are going to be able to start and potentially finish all of their holiday shopping at this event."

This year, Young said there’s about a 50/50 split between new and returning vendors. The Heart of Oxford Experience encourages residents to shop local as much as they can any time of year, and not just when it’s trendy.

"The whole concept of shop local, like it's always been there, but it has different points when it comes in and out, you know? It shouldn't be a trendy thing. This is something that needs to be happening all of the time to keep these businesses alive and keep us all here."

There were under 60 vendors when Young started the Heart of Oxford Experience, and vendor participation increased over the years. Young said that the support from the community has also grown since the inception of the Heart of Oxford Experience.

"I'm seeing so many beautiful messages and posts and reposts of all the businesses on social media and just people really talking about the event and getting the word out there in the community and the community support has just been so magical to witness.”

Tickets range from $8 to $10 and can be purchased online via www.eventbrite.com/e/the-heart-of-oxford-experience-2025-tickets. More information about the Heart of Oxford Experience, including participating vendors, can be found online by visiting https://www.theheartofoxford.ca.