From Small Market To Santee Tradition: Ladies At The Lake Turns 10

SANTEE, CA — What began with fewer than 40 vendors a decade ago has blossomed into one of Santee Lakes' signature events, bringing more than 130 small businesses to the lakeside for a day of shopping, food and community.

Ladies at the Lake will celebrate its 10th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 10, marking a milestone for a fall market created in 2016 to give women and women-owned businesses a place to showcase what they had to offer.

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"It honestly feels a little hard to believe," event coordinator Shawna Fakhouri told Patch. "When we started this event, I never imagined it would grow into what it is today."

The market will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lake 1 event area at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

When Ladies at the Lake debuted 10 years ago, there were few local events focused on women and women-owned businesses, said Fakhouri, who serves as park and recreation operations administrator for Santee Lakes.

"Santee Lakes has always been a place where people come to fish, camp and enjoy the outdoors — and of course, women love all of those things too — but we felt like we needed something that was a little different and gave women a place to showcase their businesses and what they had to offer," she said.

The first event drew just under 40 vendors. This year's market will feature more than 130 selling holiday items, artwork, bath and body products, candles, clothing, handbags, jewelry, home decor, plants, pottery, handmade goods and other items.

Along the way, what began primarily as a shopping event has evolved into a day out at the lakes, Fakhouri said.

The market will also feature a food court with food trucks and a drinks lounge under the gazebo hosted by Bella Beverage Catering and Burly & The Bean.

Visitors can shop while grabbing food from food trucks, stopping at an adult beverage lounge, and enjoying the surroundings at Santee Lakes.

Fakhouri credits the event's growth to its mix of businesses, the setting and vendors who return year after year.

"People really like finding things they don't see everywhere else, and we have such a great mix of vendors," Fakhouri said. "Every year there are new businesses and new things to discover."

Among the returning businesses is The Barn San Diego, a small flower farm in Alpine that has participated in Ladies at the Lake for five years and is the title sponsor of this year's event.

Sara Suter of The Barn San Diego said the business returns because of the community's enthusiasm for locally grown flowers and the welcoming atmosphere of the market.

"Ladies at the Lake brings together a uniquely supportive community that genuinely appreciates the beauty, fragrance and character of locally grown flowers and goods," Suter told Patch. "The setting at Santee Lakes makes the experience even more memorable."

The Barn San Diego will sell locally grown specialty cut flowers and seasonal bouquets at this year's market. As part of the anniversary celebration, the business will also fill the gazebo and lounge area with locally grown fall flowers.

For small businesses, Suter said events such as Ladies at the Lake provide more than an opportunity to make sales.

"Events like this give small women-owned businesses an invaluable opportunity to connect directly with the community, share the stories behind their products, and build lasting relationships with customers who value shopping locally," she said.

Fakhouri has watched some participating businesses grow alongside the market.

"One of my favorite things is seeing vendors who have been with us for years and watching their businesses grow," she said. "Some of them started out really small, and now they have established businesses and a really loyal customer base."

To commemorate the market's 10th anniversary, the first 200 vehicles through the gate will receive a Ladies at the Lake tote bag, limited to one per vehicle. Organizers are also planning a large photo opportunity for visitors.

For Fakhouri, however, the milestone is less about any one anniversary addition and more about seeing what a small event launched a decade ago has become.

"There are those moments during the event when you walk around and see hundreds of people shopping, talking, laughing and having a good time," she said. "That's probably what stands out the most to me. That's when I stop and think, 'Wow, look what this has become.'"

Seeing the market become an annual tradition has made the milestone even more meaningful, she said.

"It's really rewarding to see how much it has grown and how many people have made it part of their annual tradition."

The Ladies at the Lake Fall Market is free to attend. Parking costs $10. Santee Lakes is located at 9310 Fanita Parkway in Santee.