THE Creswick Market has been reborn after growing from 16 stall holders to 66 in the past year.
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The 13-year-old market, run by the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre, has always been community-based, but has expanded to be more of a family fun day with more local produce.
Market manager Trevor Miller grew up in Smeaton and said he wanted to see the market succeed for his home area.
“When I first started, it had a lot of craft stalls, but not much local produce,” Mr Miller said.
“And we had local producers, but they were travelling to Melbourne to sell their produce.
“Why not get them to set up a stall here instead of going to Melbourne?”
He said now it was about getting the word out and working actively with social media; the Creswick Market Facebook page has more than 2000 likes.
Fiona Darby will hold her first stall at the market this weekend, with sweets including macaroons and strawberry tarts.
“I’ve never done a market before, other than stands at my son’s school’s fete,” Ms Darby said.
Her stall will be one of 10 new stalls at the market this week alone.
She describes herself as a self-taught baker. This week she will have an Easter-themed stall, with hot cross bun macaroons and vanilla cookies with fondant rabbit tops.
Ms Darby said she was excited to join the market and was drawn to Mr Miller’s vision for it.
Mr Miller said he loved the community feel and wanted the market to engage further with the community.
“We’ve brought lots of activities including jumping castles, face painting and plaster painting,” he said.
“I really have a vision for the market and am working to make it happen.”
He said the stalls were diverse, including wine, jam, tarot card readers, homemade wooden cutlery and sourdough bread producers.
nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au