Fort Saskatchewan RCMP are warning vendors and artisans across the province to be cautious when booking event tables after a fraudulent craft fair listing in Fort Saskatchewan cost at least one vendor their money. The alert was issued on June 17, 2026, confirming that the advertised “Northern Prairie Craft, Food & Vendor Fair” set for June 26 to 28 at the Dow Centennial Centre is a scam.
RCMP say the scam was posted on Eventbrite under the host name “Epic Events Center” and directed interested vendors to email [email protected] to reserve a spot. Booth fees ranged from $100 to $140 per day depending on the space size or vendor type, with at least one person losing money by booking through the fake page.
The Dow Centennial Centre confirmed that no event under that name has been booked at the city-owned facility, which regularly hosts legitimate markets and community gatherings. Police say the scammer used the venue’s good reputation to make the fake fair seem real.
As summer event season ramps up across Alberta, the Better Business Bureau Alberta and East Kootenay also warned that similar vendor scams are on the rise. Scammers often use trusted ticket sites like Eventbrite to collect money and personal details, then disappear once vendors start asking questions. Similar schemes have been reported in other parts of Canada, including Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, and Ontario.
RCMP are asking anyone who may have been targeted by this or another suspicious event booking to report it to their local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. They remind vendors to always verify an event directly with the venue before sending any payment or sharing personal information.
