Oamaru's historic precinct and old railways goods yard will come alive on Sunday with the launch of the Oamaru Farmers' Market and a Victorian Market day.
The farmers' market, with 21 vendors selling a wide range of produce, will officially open for the first time in the goods yard on the Tyne St side of the former goods shed. Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton will launch the venture at 9.30am, followed by a performance from a local kapa haka group.
The market will run every Sunday until 1pm.
The Victorian Market will be in Harbour St and add colour to the historic area and farmers' market for four Sundays during the Rugby World Cup until the Golden Oldies rugby tournament on October 2.
Farmers' market manager Metka Conlan said yesterday 21 stallholders had registered for the inaugural market day, although others could still join.
On offer will be fresh vegetables and fruit (including an organic selection), free-range eggs, honey, fresh meat and fish, smallgoods, nuts, bread, cheese, handmade pasta, biscuits and cakes, jams, preserves and sauces, trees, plants and a selection of sweet and savoury food.
Buskers will perform on the opening day, two celebrity chefs - Annie Beattie from Waitaki Community Gardens (10am) and James Glucksman (11am) from Pen-y-bryn Lodge - will give cooking demonstrations in a mobile kitchen and each market will have a VIP.
There is free parking and even free "pooch parking" where people can leave dogs while they shop.
Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust secretary Faye Ormandy said the Victorian Market would have about a dozen stalls and was aimed at "bringing the town alive" for visitors.
There will be a mixture of crafts stalls, activities and buskers, along with people dressed in Victorian costume.
