It’s been almost four decades since the Bellingen Community Markets found it’s home at Bellingen Park in 1980.
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With a vision to display and sell local, lovingly grown produce and unique arts and craft work prevalent to the Bellingen Shire, organisers have seen the event grow to more than 260 stalls and attracting stall holders and market goers from all over the Mid North Coast.
Held held regularly on the third Saturday of the month, the markets have become more than just a marketplace of fine foods and quality wares, it’s a place dynamic with social engagement; a place for nurturing creativity within an energetic atmosphere; a space for traders, artisans and producers to showcase their talents and passions.
Interested casual stallholders can book a stall by visiting the Bellingen Community Markets website and filling out the ‘booking’ form two to four weeks before each market.
Each month the markets support a new musican. This month’s feature band, Random Verandahs, hit the main stage at 10am.
With decades of music behind them, Random Verandahs carry a huge range of crowd pleasing genres to choose from, making any event a success. Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Soul as required. They are all about Entertainment, Music, Dancing and Fun for everyone as they play a range of popular songs, with fresh arrangements, as well as a few originals.
Apart from community contributions and employment and training opportunities, Bellingen Community Markets seeks to engage the community in the stewardship of the event and its environment by inviting a community organisation as the Community Group of the Month. They assist staff with early setup and afternoon cleanup and are given access to a free site and hold a donation bucket collection, which reaps surprisingly and has positive outcomes for the groups.
This month’s community group is The Repton Rural Fire Brigade. They will be at the gates collecting donations and raffling off a trailer load of firewood at A-gate. Those who donate to support this deserving group will be in the running to win warmth for those coming chilly nights.
The market’s primary focus is local art, craft, a wide variety of food, drinks and fresh produce. Every third Saturday of the month Bellingen Markets comes alive with music, artisans, growers, recyclers, various services and community groups.
From 8am to 2.30pm the atmosphere is dynamic with social engagement, trading, product knowledge and pride in creation, produce, product and service. All are welcome and entry is free.
For more information check out www.bellingenmarkets.com.au