A new event is set to bring stalls, music and family and kids’ activities to the heart of Bingara, with the inaugural Bingara Easter Markets locked in for April 5 – Easter Sunday – at Bingara’s undercover basketball courts on Cunningham Street between 10am and 2pm.
Stall-holders are now being invited to submit interest in displaying and selling their wares at the inaugural markets, which organisers hope will become an annual event.
Plans for the morning include a bush stage with an open mic as well as gold panning and prospecting, and face painting and activities for the kids.
Artisan crafts, pottery, weaving, jewellery and gems, vintage finds, flowers and plants, preserves and jams, essential oils, honey, a selection of whole foods, candles, and photography and collectibles will also be on hand.
There will be a sausage sizzle and barbecue available as well as food, beverages and coffee throughout the day.
Bingara Easter Markets organisers Jason Marriott, Lynne Clarke, Beverley Callow, and Julie from Julie’s Oils were on a recruitment and fact-finding mission at Pally Bush Markets on Sunday.
“The Bingara Easter Markets will be our first, and we’re hoping to make them a yearly event,” Mr Marriott said.
“The markets will feature a wide range of stalls. Visitors can also learn about gold-panning and prospecting, with the day offering a chance to experience a little of Bingara’s gold rush history.
“Families will be well catered for, with children’s activities including colouring-in hosted by the Bingara Rural Fire Service, face-painting, and a nearby playground where kids can enjoy some time outdoors while parents explore the markets,” he said.
Fellow co-ordinator Beverley Callow, said one of the new features will be the Bush Stage.
“This will be a relaxed performance space featuring live music through the day and an open mic after lunch,” Ms Callow said.
“Local musicians will perform across the afternoon, and anyone who plays a musical instrument, has a song or dance or even a bush poem are welcome to step up and take part.”
Food and community fundraising will also be part of the day, with a sausage sizzle run and barbecue manned by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Bingara Support Group.
“The idea for the Easter markets has grown quickly from a small idea to a genuine community effort, with locals coming together to create what they hope will become a friendly annual Easter tradition for Bingara and visitors to the region,” Ms Callow said.
The group met with Pally Bush Markets’ co-ordinators Col and Bree Pring at Pallamallawa on Sunday to learn about how a successful market day operates.
“The Bingara markets people have been talking to us, and we’ll be working with them to give them support and show them how we’ve done our markets,” Mr Pring said.
The Pally bush markets, held three times a year, have been inspirational since launching in 2022.
“This is our fourth year. We started with only 35 stalls, and it’s continued to grow from that,” Mr Pring said.
“We’ve had up to 110 stalls at our mega markets in October, and 75 to 90 stalls is an ideal number for us. That means there is still plenty of room for people to move around and enjoy themselves,” he said.
Stall-holders interested in attending the Bingara Easter Markets can visit the group’s Facebook page, Bingara Easter Markets or call Jason Marriott on 0428 235892.
