The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP is warning Albertans about a fake craft fair that has already tricked at least one person into paying for a vendor table. The advertised Northern Prairie Craft, Food & Vendor Fair, supposedly set for June 26-28, 2026 at the Dow Centennial Centre, does not exist. Police confirmed the event is a scam designed to collect money from unsuspecting vendors.
RCMP say the fraud uses a fake Eventbrite booking link to take payments for booth rentals. The Dow Centennial Centre has no record of any such event ever being scheduled at the facility, and its staff were not contacted by the organizers. The scam takes advantage of both the venue and honest vendors looking to sell homemade goods and food.
At least one vendor has already lost money after booking a table through the fraudulent online listing. Police have not shared how much was taken, but the investigation is active as the advertised event dates draw closer.
Mounties are urging Fort Saskatchewan residents to double-check any event before buying tickets or registering as a vendor. Call the venue directly, look for official city or community Facebook pages, and be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true. Anyone who thinks they have been scammed should call local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Fraud reports in the Fort Saskatchewan area have included paving scams and online tricks in recent years. Police say the craft fair swindle is another reminder to verify businesses and events through sources you know before sending money or sharing personal details.
