After a quiet resumption late in 2022, a regular weekend market at the Millicent Showgrounds is gaining momentum.
The Millicent Showgrounds Markets are again being regularly staged on a fortnightly basis with 18 stallholders present on Saturday for the first market of 2023.
Stalls were set up in the hall which usually holds the yearly school exhibits as well as outside.
Among the wares for sale were artwork, jewellery, home-cooked food, plants, books and bric-a-brac.
Markets had been held at the showgrounds a few years ago but were halted owing to COVID protocols.
Millicent Show Society secretary Sue Vanderheul said every second Saturday morning was now chosen as the market time as this was the right frequency and people are out and about doing their shopping.
She said that her society members were running the markets as they wanted to utilise the showgrounds and bring people to Millicent.
“People have been asking us to stage these sales,” Ms Vanderheul said.
“Profits from the markets will go into the general revenue for the Millicent Show Society.
“Each market runs from 9am until noon and a stall costs $10.
“Bookings are required.
“If we have the demand, we can set up around 25 stalls indoors by spilling over into the adjacent Vera’s Dining Hall.
“In some cases, it is possible for the stall-holders to leave their goods inside from market-to-market.
“At present, we have about eight regular stall-holders.”
Although the Millicent Show Society is best known for its annual show each November, Ms Vanderheul said it was very much a year-round operation.
She said its annual general meeting will be held next month.
“Our RV camp for motorhomes has been busy over summer although the numbers have not been quite as high as the previous year,” she said.
“The greatest number we had in a single night was 14 and this was between Christmas and New Year.
“The Millicent Show Society was also delighted to receive a $9000 grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
“This met 100% of the cost of a verandah, concrete base and disabled ramp outside the show office.
“At present, there is just gravel and a step and so there is no disabled access.”
