Welcome to Bellingen Community Markets this Saturday 17 August
Just when we thought the sun had settled in, down comes the rain and it looks like it’s hanging around all week, clearing hopefully Thursday/Friday. Well here’s crossing our fingers and toes, this is how it goes as we need and want our park grounds to be ready for our sweet embrace. We will need a couple of days to dry the park out, but don’t despair, it has happened before and it can happen again, especially if we believe so! I will know more come Thursday when I check the park, so stay tuned to Facebook for updates. In the meantime, please don’t let the rain put your off and stay patient, positive and prepared:-)
What a fabulous market we had last month. It would have been our busiest in a while (next to Christmas). We hope you had a good day.
Bellingen Community Markets continues to grow from strength to strength and has become an iconic sort after destination. Next to beautiful Bellingen it is the place to be for a good time. Sun, rain, hail or snow! It’s not just about the wonderful diverse array of products, creations, plants, food, music, alternative therapies, buskers, community and many valuable services but the friendly and welcoming vibe the market generates from the awesome people who attend, just like you!
The market filled quickly this month so if your a casual stallholder and don’t want to miss out in future, its best to book earlier. Book a few days after the market just gone gives you a better chance of getting in. Upon saying that, I book locals first before contacting out of towners, but there is always space for new exciting stalls.
The Bellingen Big Band join us on the main stage from 10am and lifesavers, the Bellingen Rotary group are our community group, who stepped in after our last two groups cancelled. The Rotary crew will warmly welcome all through the gates, so please give what you can to their valuable cause.
Thanks for supporting Bellingen Community Markets. Bring on the sunshine and have a fabulous week.
Image above is Greg Hayes the Shell man with a beautiful assortment of shells and mobiles. You can find Greg in B section on Church St side, near the small bridge.
Bellingen Big Band
Over the past 25 years the Bellingen Big Band have performed regularly at community events and Festivals. They have held performances including “The Cotton Club” to great success, played at Bello Winter Music Fest, Bellingen Jazz Festival as well as Fine Music Festival.
Last year the band was part of the Urunga Lights Christmas Carols. One of its early performances was during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Torch Relay in Urunga. They have played in Dorrigo for special celebrations and have played up and down the coast.
Directed by Chris Frater, the band plays a wide range of musical styles from the Swing Era through to the modern era, including Latin, RnB, Motown. They will be playing a special set of Movie, TV and Musical themes, a selection from their recent performance at the Bellingen Memorial Hall plus favourite and classic arrangements from their repertoire.
The Big Band returns to the Bellingen Community Markets, so come along and enjoy a free concert performance by one of the regions finest large ensembles.
Rotary Club of Bellingen is our community group of the month
Rotary Club of Bellingen was formed on 20 December 1953. Their passion for service and fellowship drives them to make a difference in our world. They are committed to supporting community through local and international projects that align with their clear purpose of Service Above Self.
For over 70 years, The Rotary Club of Bellingen have been dedicated to making a difference, one project at a time… Their members come from all walks of life, but each share a common passion for service and a desire to make a positive impact in our communities. From local service projects to scholarships to literacy programs to international humanitarian efforts, members are dedicated to making a difference in the world. Whether you are looking for a way to give back or connect with like-minded people, their club offers a welcoming and inclusive environment. Help them make a positive impact! Click link to learn more. https://www.bellingenrotary.org/
Listen to directives of crew, be patient, flexible, friendly and respectful to all.
Arrive at the correct time at the right gate.
Permanents enter at 6.30am.
Casuals enter at 6.45am.
Unless prior notice, anyone arriving after 7.30am may loose their position.
Remain quiet when lining up in morning to consider sleeping residents.
When in park drive at walking pace, do not reverse and drive one way.
Never drive on the football oval.
When entering, drive in and park close to your stall so other cars can pass.
Quickly unload and take your car out before returning to set up.
The above helps alleviate traffic congestion.
Park a couple of streets away so your customers can park closer.
Cars must be out of the park by 8am and no cars stay in unless agreed by Manager.
Fees are collected at 10am so have the correct money ready and do not rely on sales to pay.
We are a plastic free market. NO PLASTIC !
All eating utensils must be biodegradable.
TAKE HOME YOUR RUBBISH. Please don’t use the red/yellow bins or skips. We just don’t have the capacity.
This is especially vital for food vendors who must take home their food scraps too.
Smile for the camera. Photos are taken and uploaded to Facebook after the market.
Gates open again at 2.30pm for cars to enter and pack down. Please do not enter before this.
Always drive at walking pace.
Report any incidents to your section coordinator or Manager.
Be out of the park by 4pm latest.
Sorry but no dogs allowed
How to find us !
Vehicles in park
When driving in our market, please always drive at walking pace and if on the east side, never ever drive on football oval.
Parking has always been challenging around our market, so please consider your customers and park a couple of streets away. Most importantly, consider residents and be every so quiet early in morning when lining up and never park on top of resident driveways. You must be at least 1m away.
2.30pm is the time vehicles can enter the park to pack up. You can leave earlier but you can’t bring car in and therefore need to walk your gear out.
All vehicles must be taken out of the park after unloading. You then come back to set up. Alas if you leave your vehicle behind the your stall because you have a medical cert and advised the Manager, please be aware you are not allowed to exit the park until 2.30pm, just like everyone else. You cooperation helps us stay safe and fair to all.
Waste not!
As mentioned above we ask all stallholders to take home their rubbish as we don’t have the capacity (on top of visitor rubbish). Sadly some food stallholders are still placing their food scraps in our bins. This is a BIG NO NO and stallholders doing this will frowned upon and warned once only. Please take home all your rubbish.
We are still trying to work out what to do with the large amount of waste after market day. Much of it is a mish mash of waste and recyclables in both red and yellow bins. We truly do need some positive guidance and reinforcement on how to recycle and reduce our waste. I call out to anyone with good ideas or a community group who may want to take this on, for a donation.
In the meantime, thanks for helping reduce, reuse and recycle.
Mid North Coast Arts Guide & Memorial Hall
Thought you would be interested to see what’s going on in and around Bellingen this month. Click on below links to read more:
On Saturday 14 September the Bellingen Spring Plant Fair opens its gates to hundreds of plant stalls, food and music. As a Bellingen Environment Centre fundraiser, they encourage all to protect our precious environment and plant more trees. Proceeds from the day funds the events and various campaigns in the shire. For more information click the following link.
