Inverell will fill with local food, drink and music when Eat Drink Live New England Market Day returns on Saturday, 14 November, in the grounds of the Tourism Inverell Complex next to the Riverside Restaurant.
Event co-ordinator Sean Taylor said it will be the ninth year the event has been run, but it was last held in 2023. Local business Best is the major sponsor and has provided a committee to help bring it back.
Mr Taylor came up with the idea and has run it from the start. “I came up with the concept and basically ran it since day one,” said Mr Taylor.
This year’s big change is the venue. The market has been held in Evans Street in the past, but Mr Taylor said the heat was a problem.
“I used to get a lot of complaints because that time of year, it’s extremely hot,” said Mr Taylor.
He said the new sponsor made it possible to move the event to Riverside Park, near the tourist information centre in Campbell Street. The site has more shade, though Mr Taylor said fitting everyone in will be a test.
So far, 54 sites have been booked. Stallholders must sell products they make, create or grow themselves in the New England region. A few come from further afield, including Yamba. Visitors can expect distilleries, breweries, jewellery makers, artists and plenty of food.
Rouseabout will run a licensed bar in the park, and the Riverside Restaurant bar will also be open. Mr Taylor said the day is still family-friendly. No children’s activities are planned at this stage.
Local band SixFold will provide live music from about 11 am. The market finishes at 3pm, but the music will continue until about 5pm. Entry is $5 for adults and no booking is needed.
Mr Taylor said past visitors have used the day to start their Christmas shopping. He encouraged people to bring a big blanket, find some shade and settle in for lunch, a drink and the music. Some seating will be available.
“It’s going ahead regardless, yeah, absolutely,” said Mr Taylor.
He hopes to match the crowds of the past. “In the past, we’ve had close to 3,000 people,” said Mr Taylor.
He said Inverell Council has been a big supporter. “Council have been very, very supportive,” said Mr Taylor.
The week before the market, organisers will host a Canapé and Gin Tasting Night at the Inverell Art Gallery, 5 Evans Street. It runs from 6pm to 10:30pm on Saturday, 7 November.
Winding Road Distillery will lead the gin tasting, with canapés by Relish Catering and live music from Oh Ma Soul. A full bar will be open all evening. Mr Taylor said a similar night in 2023 was very popular.
Eat Drink Live New England sponsors a section of the Inverell Art Prize, with $2,000 on offer. Organisers hope the winner of that section will attend the night.
Tickets are $95 per person and numbers are limited. They are available at https://www.trybooking.com/DQGOZ
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