It’s here! The Maylands Hawkers Market popped up on the grounds of The Rise in Maylands for the first time last Saturday the 25th of January and by all accounts was a huge success with locals and visitors alike. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of a Hawkers Market, think outdoor foodcourt with all the colour and variety of eating options that entails, and you have it in one.
The market is run by the Maylands Lions Club who have been trying to get a regular community event going in the area for some time. Operating solely as a food market, it will pop up every Saturday until the end of April from 4:30pm to 8:00pm with the exception of 1 March 2014, when the grounds are booked for another event. After breaking for the wetter and cooler months, the plan is to re-start the market again in September.
Regata Mussels from Sicoco – photo courtesy of Maylands Hawkers Market
Catherine, one of the market co-ordinators, said that there are currently about 13 food stalls covering a wide range of cuisines and options ranging from hot foods through to desserts that people can enjoy either at the market itself or take away. If you’re having dinner nearby, you could pop into the market for coffee and dessert afterwards. Some market goers last week bought along take-away pizza’s or picnics that they supplemented with food from the stalls just to partake in the community atmosphere, something that the organizers welcome.
If you plan to stay for a while, it’s a good idea to bring picnic blankets and chairs for that little extra comfort and arrive either before 5:30pm or after 6:00pm, which seemed to be the peak time for attendances. That said, some stalls sold out of food well before the end of the night so don’t leave it too late to get there.
I’m thrilled that the Hawkers Market has opened and love that it’s contributing to Maylands reputation of being that little bit more diverse and original in it’s amenities and offerings. Events like these make important contributions to a sense of belonging and community identity and need our support to thrive – long may it nourish us and prosper!
