Markets buzz before the winter break.
By Pauline Stewart.
It was the first King’s Birthday Weekend for both Whiti Citi Markets at Soldiers Memorial Park, Whitianga and for Coroglen Farmers Market at Coroglen Community Hall on the Sunday.
It was a crisp and sunny morning for both markets and the locals and visitors will now have to wait October for the next Market Day. It’s a respite period for the Winter.
It has been quieter for the stall holders as the roads and uncertainty keep numbers lower than they have been for many years. However, the variety and excellent retail effort from everyone made for satisfied customers. Thank you to Ronnie James and Jim Taylor for their organisation of the Whiti Markets and to the Community of Coroglen for the great local produce.
Dave Kennedy is both compere and the host/entertainer. His mellow and smooth voice and his song encyclopaedic memory makes for very relaxed listening. Dave serenades a good portion Whiti town on Saturday mornings. We love it.
Bianca Reynel, 14 years, with her fairy floss stall right on the Albert Street front is a Market staple Children and some adults can’t wait to buy blue or pink sealed bags of the fluffy ‘melt in your mouth’ sugar treat. Bianca has added an important dimension to her stall - raising $1,000 for brain research through Matai Medical research Institute - all her own initiative. More about this in a coming issue.
Simply Whimsical was exactly that, with sisters, Cerys and Seren Green showcasing their beautiful entrancing creations while to the side, their famous Mum, Matilda the Time Travelling Fairy, (Eloise) with her face paints, creative skill, and absolute connection with the children, created all manner of playful and fierce animal faces as well as fantasy ones. Frankie Adams from Hamilton receives the finishing touches to her tiger face, with family looking on.
The Whitianga Lions Club and MenZshed never miss the Whiti Citi Markets. Their sausage sizzle is a constant. Ian Robbie, who is involved with both organisations, is either selling sausages or demonstrating a toy made by the Menzshed along with his mates Ernie Witchcraft and John Pedersen. On Saturday, it was peeling and cutting onions. Here he is shedding a tear. These men and women work tirelessly as volunteers raising money for the Mercury Bay community.
These exotic and elegant soy candles are relatively new addition - a beautiful stall.
Every stall holder deserves three cheers and super summer in 23/24.
Caption: Matilda the Time Travelling Fairy.