Join the Town of Banff and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 10am-2pm at the Fenlands Recreation Centre Concourse for a fun, educational day promoting a circular economy. After a highly successful pilot last year, we look forward to continuing this journey as a community!
What is a Share and Repair Fair?
This is a FREE community event that promotes circular economy and waste reduction through free repair, share and reuse services, workshops, and presentations. We will feature 17 local businesses, organizations and individuals that contribute to reuse, repair, recycling, upcycling and sharing in Banff and across the Bow Valley.
What is a circular economy?
Circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
What will the day look like?
Free clothing swap, workshops, free donuts for the first 60 people, refreshments, live music and more!
Local businesses, organizations and vendors will be providing on-site repairs, workshops and information.
Free Workshop Schedule (Sign up to save your spot as a participant. Drop-ins are also welcome pending capacity):
10:30-11:00 AM - Keep Your Chain Rolling with Community Cruisers
Join Community Cruisers for a hands-on bike repair demo and learn simple skills to keep your ride in top shape. We’ll show you how to properly oil your chain, provide a free bottle of chain lube, and share tips for making your drivetrain last longer. Bike donations will also be accepted at this workshop.
11:00 AM-12:00 PM - Haunted Upcycle Craft: Make Your Own Ghost! with The Last Temptation Vintage
Join us for a Halloween-inspired upcycling craft where we’ll make spooky little ghosts from rags, flour, and water. Fun for all ages!
11:30 AM-12:00 PM - Crafting Stories, Sparking Change with Circle³ Sustainability
In this interactive 20-minute workshop, business owners will explore how storytelling can inspire sustainable change. Together we’ll build a live “Story Wall,” sharing real examples of repair, reuse, sharing, and more. Leave with practical ways to use stories to connect with customers, build trust, and spark collaboration in a circular economy.
12:00-1:00 PM - Buckskin Beaded Medicine Bag Necklace Workshop with Kyle Kaquitts and Jarron Poucette
Join Iethka (Stoney) artists Kyle Kaquitts and Jarron Poucette, for a hands-on workshop where you’ll create your own buckskin beaded medicine bag necklace. The session will begin with a smudge for both participants and the animal, followed by conversation about harvesting and honouring all parts of the animal. With guidance from Kyle and Jarron, you’ll bead and assemble your own unique medicine bag necklace to take home. Space is limited, so be sure to register early. (Capacity: 20 participants)
1:00 PM-1:30 PM - Patagonia Repair Workshop with Patagonia Banff
Join Patagonia for a hands-on repair workshop that makes your gear last longer. Learn simple fixes, explore repairable items for sale, and pick up tips on gear care and upkeep because the most sustainable product is the one you already own. More details to come!
1:30 PM-2:00 PM - Preserving Curiosity in the Kitchen: Hacks for Food Sovereignty with the Bow Valley Food Alliance
Discover how small shifts in your kitchen can spark big change. From freezing veggie scraps for stock, to turning near-empty peanut butter jars into quick salad dressings, this session explores simple, clever ways to stretch your groceries, reduce waste, and nourish community resilience.
What should I bring?
On-site clothing repairs: Clothing items that require small repairs. Visit one of our community sewers who can help you sew or patch items! On-site repairs will take place throughout the day (10am-2pm) on a first come, first served basis.
Patagonia products to be repaired or taken in for repairs by Patagonia.
Shoes that require mending to the Kumpfy Shoes team.
Free clothing swap: Trade in your gently-used clothing items for some new clothing! Clothing swap hosted by the Last Temptation Vintage.
Community Cruisers will be accepting bike donations.
Your curiosity!
Booths at the Fair: Town of Banff, Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, The Last Temptation Vintage, Banff Public Library (Library of Things), Circle³ Sustainability, Patagonia Banff, Muuse - Banff Borrows, Bow Valley Climate Action, Community Cruisers, Bow Valley Food Alliance, Mountain Grannies of the Bow Valley, Bow Valley Waste Management Commission, Kumpfy Shoes, Mary’s Makes and Mends, Future Leaders Youth Council, Frankie D.'s Donuts, and a variety of community sewing volunteers!
Want to volunteer? We are still looking for community volunteers who are able to do minor sewing repairs, or any other fixing. Click here to sign up as a volunteer.
Questions? Reach out to tanya@biosphereinstitute.org