Big crowd flocks to first Christmas market

ORGANISERS have labelled the first Christmas Makers’ Market held in Ocean Grove at the weekend as a huge success.

After six years of running the Bellarine Community Farmers’ Market (BCFsM), owner Sally Waites decided to fully embrace the festive season by shaking things up and hosting the event on Saturday.

“It was just fantastic to see locals supporting locals in every aspect of our community,” Mrs Waites said.

“We got big crowds through with so many positive comments and from all accounts, most of the stallholders had a fantastic day, so much so that we are already in negotiations to do another one next month, plus several further seasonal ones throughout 2018 alongside the usual Farmers’ Market.”

Ms Waites said it took a team of people on the day to make the event a reality.

“Thank you to Ocean Grove Park Inc. for giving us permission to run it, our fabulous community groups from Light of Day Parkinsons, Ocean Grove Community Garden and Queenscliff Rural Refugee group, John Bowman for organising the Open Mic busking all morning,” she said.

“Also, the Bellarine Times for the ad support, the stallholders and patrons, my long-term volunteer ‘Farmer Greg’ and of course my husband and kids – everyone together made it the success it was and I couldn’t have done it without them.

“Bring on 2018!”