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Two cruise ship passengers from Canada could not believe their luck when they stumbled upon the Thieves Alley market during their visit.

Jim and Olive Ridler, of North Bay, Ontario, were among an estimated 30,000 people who packed the lower Octagon and adjoining streets on Saturday to sample food and crafts.

Ms Ridler said it was absolutely wonderful cities had events to bring people together like Thieves Alley.

"We certainly picked the right day for it."

Some of the thousands who flocked to the Thieves Alley market in the Octagon and its surrounds on...
Some of the thousands who flocked to the Thieves Alley market in the Octagon and its surrounds on Saturday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
The pair were cruising around New Zealand and Australia for 15 nights on the Azamara Journey, coming from Christchurch.

First-time stallholder Elsa Halligan, of Cromwell, said she had taken the plunge and booked the stall after launching her baking business Tatsdelightful Baking recently.

"I’ve always loved baking.

"I worked at Starfish cafe and the owner found out I could bake and got into it from there."

Miss Halligan said she had baked for a day and a-half straight to prepare muffins, cupcakes, biscuits and goodie bags for the market.

"I don’t ever get sick of it.

"I love seeing the looks on kids’ faces."

Dunedin City Council events co-ordinator Marilyn Anderson said about 250 stalls were scattered around the Octagon.

Lisa Davis looks through clothing at the Thieves Alley market. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Lisa Davis looks through clothing at the Thieves Alley market. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Even in its 35th year the event was still a favourite for many, Ms Anderson said.

The council had changed the date of the market so it was the day after the Southern Field Days in Gore finished, in a bid to attract more stallholders.

It worked for businessman Warrick Jackson, of Timaru, who had come straight from Southern Field Days to the market to sell metal garden art.

"I think you’ll find a lot of people have come from there to here to sell.

It was Mr Jackson’s 10th year at Thieves Alley.

"The atmosphere here is wonderful, everyone is relaxed and enjoying themselves," he said.

Comments

I've gone for the past 10 years. Its the same...literally the same vendors with the same stuff in the same place. Hello...how about something new? I'm tired of the same old boring, dull, overpriced garbage leftover from last years thieves alley! I had $200 burning a hole in my pocket and couldn't find anything of interest to waste it on.

WandaW Get off your backside and become a stall holder, but I get what you mean the markets in Sydney, Gold Coast, Singapore, Oman,Hong kong, KL, Brisbane Melbourne are same old same old,

Yes Wanda, it's not the people who organize thieves alley responsibility to solicit new vendors or change booths...its yours! So go grab a tent, clean out your garage and get ready for next year's event. That's what we all love about Dunedin...nothing ever changes. We all love the "same old same old"of the event. I for one wouldn't want our 1 day event to ever replicate anything like Sydney or Singapore. I look forward to seeing the slop Wanda brings to her stall next year. So glad someby had the courage to shame some poor woman for telling the truth!

 

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