THE Myrtleford Piazza was packed last Friday evening as visitors and locals, undeterred by the heat, enjoyed a fantastic community Twilight Farmers' Market.
Crowds investigated stalls packed with produce and handicrafts, relaxed to the mellow tunes of Tracy Hamilton on the microphone, lined up for delicacies at beloved food trucks and specialty-dish stalls and stocked up on locally produced gifts ahead of Christmas.
The Myrtleford Farmers’ Market signature cocktail - Market Fling - was also featured; created in tandem with Swiftcrest Distillery, Vine & Thyme Microgreens, Maison Renoux and Gamila at Beechworth to prepare for this summer’s celebrations.
The annual Twilight Farmers' Market was the perfect time for local vendors, such as Myrtleford's Alpine Blueberries, to offer up their wares.
"We’ve had a really good season so far, with a great harvest,” owner, Nathan Mirt said.
Latest Stories
“Our farm gate has been really good with our gelato sales throughout the year, but we only have fresh blueberries for sale from December to mid-February.
“We’ll be at the monthly farmers’ market next week, the one in January and the bush market, too.”
The season was reportedly also fruitful for Ovens River Nuts, despite the unusual rainfall in recent months.
“Our season is going pretty well with walnuts and hazelnuts,” said owner, Claudio Jones.
“We think the Twilight Farmers' Market is a very good market; it’s along the highway, close to home for us and the organisers do a really good job.”
Compared to the monthly gathering, Darren Edwards from Vine & Thyme Microgreens said this market was a little more festive.
“There’s a few more food stalls here than the monthly markets, which is nice and there are certainly more children around, no doubt waiting for a special guest,” Mr Edwards laughed.
“We’re here today with our more popular varieties of microgreens; at 10 days old and ready to eat,” he said.
“What you don’t use right away, you can stick in your veggie garden and they’ll grow from there.”
Vanessa Smith from The Peaks, Artisan Cheesemakers, said they love attending the Twilight Farmers' Market in town.
“It’s a big community event, which we love and it definitely has a more festive feeling ahead of Christmas,” she said.
“The Twilight Farmers' Market is a good opportunity for us to offer tastings to new customers we wouldn’t ordinarily meet.
“It also gives the guests the opportunity to buy local and support our local businesses.”
Holiday-maker, Paulien Robinson, along with her family visiting from Queensland, said they were out thoroughly enjoying the Twilight Farmers' Market.
“We came here tonight to get some local fresh produce, fresh bread and to search for Christmas gifts,” Mrs Robinson said.
“We're in Myrtleford to visit my brother for Christmas; we usually try to exchange years, so he’ll visit us up in Queensland next year.
“All our hard work and travelling is done now, so we’re relaxing at the beautiful market.”
The Robinsons weren’t the only ones enjoying the market, as locals also seized the opportunity to spend the late afternoon soaking up the sun in the centre of town.
“It’s great to take some time and relax after wrapping up work at the end of the year,” said Nug Nug resident, Bronwyn Dwyer.
“You can have a great, locally-produced glass of wine in your hand and enjoy the chaos of the silly season with everyone.”
On the topic of silliness, The Grinch himself made an appearance, allegedly stealing Santa’s new ride: a fire engine from the local CFA.
Mr Grinch decked the vehicle out in tinsel and crashed the Twilight Farmers' Market, to the amazement of all the children present.
The Anti-Father-Christmas appeared without his faithful hound, Max, stating he couldn’t make it that evening.
Mr Grinch was then chased across the Piazza by a crowd of children, offering them candy-canes as recompense for the disturbance he had caused.
According to Farmers’ Market organisers, the Grinch’s antics only delayed Father Christmas’ visit until Sunday’s Carols by Candlelight.
Posted to the Myrtleford Farmers' Market Facebook page the following day, they thanked everyone who came to support their local producers.
Myrtleford’s final Farmer’s Market for the year will be held at the Piazza on Saturday, December 28, from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
