80 stallholders will set more nights in store for market

Andrew Mathieson
AN INCREASE in stallholders at the Geelong night markets, starting tonight, is expected to be a forerunner to expanding the number of markets in 2011, according to organisers.
The inaugural market last year ran throughout January and Queen Victoria Market officials have stuck to retaining the same four Friday nights.
But marketing manager Misti Dullard said plans are afloat to extend the Geelong night markets to include December and possibly February.
Ms Dullard said she would “love to be in a position” to attract tourists to Geelong.
“It is something that we are working towards,” she said.
“We would love to capture that pre-Christmas crowd as well.
“Ideally, we will see more on the calendar next year, but it is just the case of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”
The Geelong Night Market began last year following the success of Melbourne’s Suzuki night markets that are now in its 12th year.
Ms Dullard defended the flood of Melbourne stallholders at the inaugural Geelong night markets in Johnstone Park after the Independent last year revealed about half of the traders at the region’s event were sourced from the Suzuki night market.
“There will be a bit of a mix this year,” she said.
“Yes, a lot of them will be returning traders.
“In saying that, we have had a lot more interest from the local area as well.”
Ms Dullard said the number of stalls have increased from 50 last year to 80 that include 25 just for food, wine and “regional produce”.
She said the markets would have a stronger regional presence and a more consistent arts theme.
“It will be bigger this year in terms of the number of stalls and its ability to attract the bigger crowds,” she said.
“The set up in the park will be changed to incorporate a slightly larger crowd.
“Last year was very much a testing ground to ascertain how it would go.”
The stalls will utilise more green space after crowds faced problems last year with wind sweeping dust off the paths.