Stalls return to the Matakana Country Park this month, with a new weekly Sunday market on the Farm Walk Trail behind St Andrews Church.
Around 50 stallholders were due to set up shop for the first morning market last Sunday, December 19, selling a wide range of items, including books, candles, plants, microgreens, strawberries, avocados, jewellery, clothes and crystals.
There were also pony and carriage rides planned, a coffee caravan, plus food stalls selling burgers, crepes and “grown-up” doughnuts.
The new market is the brainchild of Ivana Gardner, who lives nearby and is an old hand at the market scene.
“I used to sell clothes at markets with my business, Bazaar Threads,” she said. “I did all the markets all round Auckland. I just love them so much, and a friend suggested I run my own.”
She said the aim of the event was to provide a fun family day out for locals and visitors alike, with local produce, healthy food, children’s entertainment, arts and crafts, and creative items.
Ivana said visitors would need to scan in and wear masks, but vaccine passports would not be required.
“We’re operating under the retail rules,” she said. “It’s outdoors and we’ll have someone at the gate counting people through, and we’ll only have 50 people in at a time.”
Masks will also be available for shoppers.
Ivana plans to run the market every Sunday morning from 8.30am to 1pm.
Weekend markets have been held at the Country Park at various times in the past, though there has been nothing regular since 2014.
Info: Email Ivana at countryparkmarket@gmail.com or search for Matakana Country Park Market on Facebook and Instagram
