There were dozens of stalls when the long-running Beachport Street market was held in perfect weather along a closed Railway Terrace on Saturday.
Saturday marked the start of the Labor Day holiday long weekend and the date also fell within the Victorian and South Australian school holidays.
As a result, hundreds of shoppers turned out for the market which ran from around 8.30am until lunch-time.
The record number of 68 stalls set a year ago was not exceeded.
Dating back 20 years, the open-air market is conducted under the auspices of the Beachport District Development Association and is one of three staged by it each year.
The others are held at Easter and Christmas when the seaside port again fills with holiday-makers.
Profits from the day would again be used by the BDDA to fund community projects such as the New Year’s Eve fireworks and the 2024 Beachport Crayfish Festival.
The Lions doughnut van did a brisk trade from its customary position near the foreshore war memorial rotunda.
Coordinator Mike Coonan said the Lions Club of Beachport and Rivoli Bay had operated the van each summer since about 1992.
Mr Coonan said the van had been professionally re-painted by signwriters.
“We took the doughnut van to the Pines Enduro at Millicent last month and are heading to the Millicent Show next month,” Mr Coonan said.
“Otherwise, we will be here on every day of the summer school holidays from Boxing Day onwards.”
Saturday was also a busy day of trading for the new owners of the Rivoli Bay Deli.
Millicent couple Heidi and Jason Wesolowski took over in July and have also bought a house at Beachport.
Their selling lines include The SE Voice as well as the in-house baked pasties and other goods.
“Our baker here continues to be Josh Fiebig who is well-known as the captain of the Mount Burr United Football Club,” Ms Wesolowski said.
Another newcomer to the Beachport business scene is ex-local Lisa Hibberd.
After a career in various hospitality and accommodation businesses, she is now managing the council-owned Southern Ocean Tourist Park on behalf of Belgravia Leisure.
Professional fishermen were in a buoyant mood on Saturday with lobsters fetching as much as $74 per kilogram which is the best price in four years.
