Dose of weekly summer market fun ends

AN ESTIMATED 20,000 people flocked to the weekly summer instalments of the Aireys Inlet Market between December and February for its busiest season yet.

The market played host to 135 stalls, with families and groups of friends choosing the community event as their Sunday activity.

Market organiser Libby Stapleton said feedback from the community, visitors to the coast and stallholders had been “overwhelmingly positive”.

“The numbers of people attending the market this summer has increased significantly.

“We’ve built a great reputation for presenting a varied mix of really high quality stalls selling unique handmade and homegrown creations.

“Market visitors also really value being able to stock up on quality local produce and specialty supplies.”

More than 5,000 people were at this year’s twilight market, with community organisations including Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR), Parks Victoria and Barwon Water attending to fundraise for a variety of causes.

Ms Stapleton said many stallholders contributed a portion of their profits to bushfire appeals.

The Aireys Inlet Market will now operate monthly. The next market is on March 8 (Labour Day long weekend) from 9am-1pm at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall (6 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet).

For regular updates, follow facebook.com/aireysinletmarket.