George is just one of the vendors set to make your day at the By the Rideau Market
The Smiths Falls by the Rideau Market is proving a Friday afternoon can be about much more than picking up something for dinner.
The waterfront market has settled into its new home at Lower Reach Park this season, bringing local food, handmade goods, young entrepreneurs and community groups beside the Rideau.
Organizer Rob Ashley says the move from Centennial Park was prompted by construction around the former location. While the change took the market farther from downtown, he says visitors are finding their way to the new setting.
Ashley says the market is designed to reward people who take time to wander from booth to booth.
The lineup has included fresh produce, sourdough bread, pretzels, soups, cheesecakes, lemonade, local meats, crafts, jewelry and specialty items. The market’s website also highlights art, handcrafted products and a family-friendly waterfront setting.
Different vendors can bring a different feel from week to week, giving residents another reason to return, discover a local business and meet the people behind the products.
Ashley says some of the smallest booths can offer one of the biggest opportunities.
Youth vendors are provided with a tent and table, helping them test an idea, make sales and gain experience without the cost of joining the market.
The same welcoming approach extends beyond businesses and makers.
Community groups are invited to use market space to meet residents, share information and promote local causes. That has included the local food hub and food bank, creating another connection between shoppers and services.
The result is a market where a shopping trip can support several parts of Smiths Falls at once — local makers, food producers, young entrepreneurs and community organizations.
People who cannot make it every week can still keep up with what is happening.
Ashley says the market’s online presence is a team effort, with Chelsea from Junibel’s Bakery helping manage promotion.
The 2026 season runs Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 2. The market is on Old Slys Road beside the Rideau Canal, with free parking and park space.
For Ashley, the goal is simple: give people a reason to stop by, stay awhile and see what their neighbours are creating.
More information is available through the Smiths Falls by the Rideau Market website.
