Rotary’s huge swap meet ready to roll

ONE of the region’s largest trade gatherings is set to return this weekend after a two-year absence.

The Ballarat Swap Meet, organised since 2012 by the city’s seven rotary clubs, will operate this Friday and Saturday at Ballarat Airport.

Site holders will prepare their stalls today, offering various items and wares across a 15-kilometre stretch of land near Airport Drive and Mitchell Park.

Administration and site holder liaison Clare Bennett said that people are excited for the event to return after last two events was cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

“We’ve had the highest number of site holders for years. We’re the first swap meet back so all eyes are on us,” she said.

“They can’t wait. Some have said to me they haven’t had a decent swap meet in two years.”

With capacity at 96 per cent, the swap meet is currently holding over 2600 site holders.

The swap meet is the largest in the southern hemisphere and attracts thousands of people each year.

Planning is traditionally a year-long process, but with the go-ahead coming in November, Ms Bennett said each Rotary Club has felt the pressure of preparing.

As a result, some clubs have reached out for extra volunteers to help prepare the site.

“All of us have been absolutely running like mad to get it up and get it together,” she said.

“It’s an amazing event to look at. Nobody understands until they get there and look. It shocks a lot of people.

“The saying goes, if you can’t buy it at a swap meet, you can’t buy it anywhere.”

Gates will open each day at 7am, with entry $15 on Friday and $10 for Saturday with the option for both days available at $20. Children under 15 will enter free.