Moonlight Market to light up winter night

THE hugely popular Moonlight Market will make its return to Hargreaves Mall on Saturday, 24 July for its first ever winter event.

Founder and organiser Linda Whillance said she hadn’t considered holding a winter market in the past, but public demand for more events after another lockdown changed her mind.

“We weren’t sure what the reception would be, however it’s been overwhelmingly positive, so much so that we are basically fully booked out which is incredible,” she said.

“Most of our regular stallholders will be there as well as some new additions.

“We’ve also had stallholders apply who specifically look for winter events as their products are more suited to the cold weather.”

Ms Whillance said the winter market will look slightly different to the May event, which proved a hit for stallholders.

“The majority had their best Moonlight Market ever. Considering we have been operating since 2015, that’s pretty astonishing.

“With all the event closures over the last year, many stallholders have been grateful for another opportunity to showcase their products to the public.

“We’ll be changing the layout slightly to accommodate food lines and to make better use of the whole mall.

“We’re hoping to have hot spiced cider or mulled wine, so you can wander around with a hot drink while shopping.

“There’ll be face painting, a cartoonist drawing caricatures, live art and as always, live music, this month by The Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival which is being funded by The City of Greater Bendigo.”

The free event will run from 5pm to 9pm. For more information visit the Moonlight Market Bendigo Facebook page.