Night market is back
Organisers of tonight’s market in Timaru are hoping for a repeat of the hugely successful inaugural Black Friday night market in 2021, and say this year it will be even bigger – complete with Santa.
Organised by the Timaru CBD Group in conjunction with the Timaru Artisan Farmers Market, the event will see Timaru’s main street closed to traffic with a large market, street performers, entertainment
and a Christmas Grotto.
Timaru Artisan Farmers Market co-ordinator Andrea Hutton said the market is perfectly timed for people to enjoy a night out shopping for Christmas gifts.
Friday’s event would be the fourth night market organised by the two groups, and if previous events were anything to go by, it would be well-supported by the community.
‘‘Hopefully they will come and support us again,’’ Hutton said.
The market was also well-supported by vendors with 105 stalls signed up, which is well up on the 80 at the last market.
‘‘Word has got round that it is a great market leading up to Christmas ... it is a good kick-start to Christmas shopping.’’
‘‘They’re all really excited because last year was so amazing.’’
Hutton said the stalls included a good mix of food producers, hot food, and art and crafts, and retailers would also be open.
This year a Christmas Grotto would be located in the CityTown space at 184 Stafford St offering families the chance to have their photo taken with Santa from 5-7pm, CBD group experience and enhancement working group chairperson Tim Black said.
‘‘The night market is great for community and shows Timaru’s community spirit. Let’s hope Timaru gets behind it again this year. It is going to be a great night,’’ Black said.
The market runs from 5-9pm, with Stafford St closed to traffic from the Port Loop Rd intersection to the George St intersection from 3.45pm-10pm.