Black Vendor Village

Join us for a day of culture, creativity, and connection as we showcase the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit of Black-owned businesses in our community.

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, 2440 Highway 2, Bowmanville

Follow the event on Facebook

Shopping, entertainment, food and more!

This family-friendly event is more than shopping — it's a celebration of heritage, artistry, and community pride. Enjoy live entertainment, connect with local vendors, and honour the rich contributions of the Black community.
Come support local and be part of this vibrant celebration! We can’t wait to see you there!

Event highlights

10 to 11 a.m.

Opening ceremony, featuring MC James Morgan
Welcoming remarks from Mayor Foster and Clarington’s Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee
Live performance by Durham District School Board Lift You Voice Choir
Live performance by Spoken Word Artist Tracy J
Live performance by Fit and Dance Dimensions
Live performance by Ngoma Dance and Drum Ensemble

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Explore over 45 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.
Free face painting between 1 to 3 p.m. will be provided by creative artist Jamera DaCosta from Just J. Art.
Join us for other family-friendly activities, like life-size Plinko, colouring, button-making, and bookmark crafting, hosted by the Clarington Library, Museums and Archives.
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 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.