Avenel's monthly market still a hit

By NICOLE TEUNON FOR food lovers and casual browsers alike, Avenel Market is the place to be. The market has been running for over 15 years and continues to maintain a family-friendly environment with a relaxed vibe. Being dog-friendly means your fur babies can also enjoy a morning out with the family. The market's motto is “make it, bake it, grow it“ and relies on word of mouth and quality stalls to draw in crowds. Market manager Anne Douglas told The Euroa Gazette: “The market works so well and has a happy friendly vibe." "The market is on Jubilee Park land and we work closely with the community and involve them in the market," she said. "We are always open to community groups having a free site to promote their organisation. "We also have our community BBQ, so that also helps community groups raise money each month." She said the market has gone from strength to strength, with a strong number of stallholders. Stallholder Bridget Hunter from Gate of Hope Chinese Medicine said: “It’s great for us because we are local and it gives us great exposure." "What we are trying to do is bring Chinese medicine to the community in a really easy and effective way," she said. "Everyone is really friendly and willing to have a chat. "As stallholders, we love it here." Market organisers work closely with stallholders, keeping them informed of upcoming market details and talking individually to stallholders on the day. Naraya Menchini from The Gypsy Trader coffee van said: “We love having the van at Avenel each month." "It’s a great vibe and a really family oriented market," she said. "As a stallholder we enjoy meeting new people and also maintaining connections with other stallholders at the market. "We love that it is dog friendly. "It’s an important part of the community and we feel proud to be a part of it." The community craft and sketching group will be showcasing their art in the ARTBOX at Avenel's Jubilee Park for the month of September, which is great way to combine the market with community art projects. And December will see a very popular twilight market return on Saturday, December 14 from 4-8pm, with additional stallholders, live music and food vans.