ABOUT 30 makers and several local fruit and vegetable producers combined forces this weekend to host what many believed to be the most successful Mildura Riverfront Boutique Market yet.
The return of the full farmers’ market breakfast, fresh coffee, live music, muscle cars, local produce and talented artists attracted a big turnout.
The Making Kind stallholder Megan Frankel-Vaughan said the market, reduced to one word, was “busy”.
“I got there at about 6.30am to start setting up and as we were getting ready the organisers told us to be ready for about 5000 people … it was flat-out right from the beginning until the end,” Ms Frankel-Vaughan said.
It was Ms Frankel-Vaughan’s second stall at the market.
“I started making my own fabric covered earrings when I got itchy feet during COVID-19, which branched into polymer clay, ceramic and silver jewellery,” she said.
“It was a really successful day for me and it seemed like it was for a lot of other stallholders too.”
She said events like the market were “nothing but positive for Mildura”.
“It really goes to show the hard work organisers do to put these events on … it’s no small feat,” Ms Frankel-Vaughan said.
“It shows the confidence both locals and visitors have in Mildura, to come back here and know there’s going to be really well co-ordinated events, with great products and produce.
“It showed Mildura at its best.”
And Rhian McLeod, who ran the Rhian Elycia McLeod stall said the atmosphere was “incredible”.
“The weather was great, we had so many new stallholders and Mildura just really turned it on that day,” Ms McLeod said.
“There was a bit of everything for everyone … I’ve been doing this for five years now and this weekend was the busiest I’ve ever seen it.
“People were out and about just supporting and enjoying our local makers and producers.”
Ms McLeod sells paintings of wildlife, flora and birds.
“It’s word of mouth, when people have a really good experience at our market it grow bigger and bigger each time,” she said.
“After COVID-19 last year people really want to get out and support locals so it has a great affect on tourism.
“Especially because a lot of us are sole owners so it’s such a good feeling to have people want to come and see us.
“Hopefully that feeling will continue for Mildura for the coming months and years.
“I’m buzzing, Saturday was amazing.”
