Save the date: Bowen markets to resume after COVID hiatus

Stallholders rejoice as date is set for long-awaited return of beloved community event.

Bowen Markets manager Mark Carty and George Wade from Whitsunday Slushy’s and Ice Cream.

AFTER pressing pause three and a half months ago because of coronavirus, a return date has finally been set for the Bowen Lions Sunday Markets.

Market manager Mark Carty said the announcement the markets would return on Sunday, July 26, had come as a delight to stallholders.

"Most of our long-term regular stallholders are excited because for some of those people it's their income," Mr Carty said.

"The first week is going to be a training lesson (in COVID precautions) for them all and myself."

 

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Mr Marty said stalls would be more spread out with every second stall space having to be kept vacant.

"It'll be different to the other markets where people can walk around helter skelter," he said.

"The main thing is that people have got to self-distance."

Mr Carty said during the hiatus there had been some upgrades made to the market location in Hansen Park.

"Council have been busy up here upgrading the power for us and putting in a sound system so that's going to be good for the markets," he said.

"They've put some poles in to add a few more lights and music.

"The markets are getting better up here and the council have been helping."

 

 

 

 

Market favourites will return next Sunday, including popular food stalls selling slushies, crepes and cannoli as well as craft, clothing and bric-a-brac.

About 25 stallholders have already signed up, a little less than the 40 stalls usually seen each Sunday.

Mr Carty said some stallholders were waiting to see how the pandemic situation progressed, but he expected the numbers would be back up to the usual 35-40 stalls by Christmas.

The first market will be held from 8am-noon on July 26 at Hansen Park by the beach and they will continue each Sunday thereafter.

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