LAST weekend’s Bright 'Make it, bake it, grow it' market was a sweeping success, teeming with tourists and locals alike who attended en-masse to sample the best produce and handicrafts the region had to offer.
Stalls were stocked with everything from jewellery to chutneys and the coffee van, crepe stall, Vietnamese food van, soap stand and Rotary club barbecue filled the air with scrumptious scents.
“We had 65 stalls operating for our second market of the year,” event coordinator, Amanda Hore said.
“There were three new stalls and lots of returning favourites: face-painting, seasonal berries, fresh orange juice, home-made wares and so on.
“People have been pleasantly surprised that the items are home-made, because they’re of such good quality.
“We run the market every month at Howitt Park, every third Saturday morning from 8:30am to 12:30pm, with live music from 10am.
“This morning, we had Tracy Hamilton playing her guitar for everyone.
“Families are also welcome to bring their four-legged family members to the market.”
Attendees enjoyed finding a fun way to get out of the house and locate some market treats.
“We do frequent the market quite a bit, we visit every month,” Bright local, Simone Poyner said.
“My sister is one of the musicians who plays music for everyone at the market.
“The coffee and Italian doughnuts are our favourite, we might have to circle back and get some more later, they’re all gone now.”
When asked what the children looked forward to at the market, Jarryd Poyner said they we’re still negotiating a visit to the face-painting stall.
The market attracted unique stallholders from across the region, including Wodonga graphic novelist, Angie Spice - author of the series ‘Courier: The Adventures of Geraldine Backer’.
“I’ve been attending this market for two years,” Angie said.
“It's one of the best markets because it’s all about local arts, crafts and produce.
“I can reach a wide audience here because a lot of tourists come through.
“Aside from being at my stall here, I just love the surrounds, the atmosphere and environment.
“Also, the road-trip here is pretty nice from Wodonga.”
Bright Sauce Co. stall-holder, Matt Richardson, said he attends the Bright market every month.
"The Bright and Myrtleford markets especially are probably the best in the area...they’re really focused on local producers, local products and produce," he said.
"I do a lot of shopping here, as well as my selling.
"I love 'Frank's Fruit and Veg', over there, he’s fantastic: I get most of my fresh fruit and veg from him.
"Sixpence Coffee' you can’t go past.
"Kerrie’s flowers at ‘Bring Around A Posy’: they’re amazing.
"You can’t go past the crepes, either; they’re delicious."
