Taylor seeks market vendors for World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships 2026

TAYLOR, B.C. — The District of Taylor is looking for businesses to set up shop at the upcoming World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships. 

This year, the competition has been scheduled to happen from July 31st to August 2nd, of which the vendor market will run for two days on August 1st and 2nd. 

Sherri Maycock, recreation programmer for the District of Taylor, told Energeticcity.ca the vendor market will be open from 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. or depending on how long businesses stay. 

She said the district is looking for everything when it comes to vendors.

“In previous years, we have everything from craft markets like baked goods, home vendors, jewelry, clothing and we’ve had a couple of wood carving [vendors], we get a little bit of everything.” 

The district is hoping to get approximately 20 to 25 sellers, which is its maximum capacity. 

Maycock shared: “I think the vendor market is a great addition to the event. We get a lot of food vendors that come down, and that’s something that is always a great hit.

“It’s just a great opportunity to get out and check out some local businesses while you support your community.” 

The weekend kicks off with a parade around Taylor on Friday night and claim staking, where contestants are given a measurement from a starting point which they pace out and then place a stake in the ground. 

There will be gold panning tryouts, a bannock baking competition, a candy rush contest for kids, a campfire, songs, s’mores and glow sticks. 

Gold panning, which is the main attraction of this event, includes different classes ranging from class A, class B, class C and entry level. 

Maycock said: “We [opened] up registration early because we noticed last year when we did that there were a lot of vendors also planning their spring and summer for their local vendor markets as well, so we just kind of keep it open until we hit max capacity of what we think will fit in the space.” 

Although there are no vendor fees, businesses which are going to register are asked to bring their own tables, tents and power. 

Anyone looking to register to be a vendor can contact the District of Taylor’s community services hub at 250-789-2828 or email Maycock at smaycock@districtoftaylor.com. 

This year, the district’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships will be the 54th edition of the competition, which has been part of Taylor’s calendar since 1972.