It’s an image still with me, the little boy dancing in front of the stage, face split into a smile
of pure joy, orange balloon floating from his fingers, his father bopping alongside. At the
farmers’ market toddlers stagger, beautiful young mothers breast-feed on rugs, small girls
solemnly wheel miniature trolleys, all in an atmosphere of such calm and harmony, and it’s
such a contrast to harshly lit supermarket aisles where children throw tantrums before
distraught parents.
There is indeed no better place, to bring your offspring, always but especially during school
holidays, than the farmers’ market, not only for the wholesomeness of the environment –
children biting into apples; a cutie-pie in a stroller gnawing a carrot; a young boy helping his
mother select potatoes – but also because there’s a host of special events laid on. Spaghetti
Circus will be at Mullumbimby with circus skills – tricks, juggling, stilt-walking – in the
dedicated kids’ area. Crafts and various other activities will be offered by two women from
Rainbow Kids, while at both markets the wonderful artist Anna will be face-painting
whatever round little faces present themselves.
It’s a glorious family experience, anyway, even before you get to the food, the punnets of
Monty’s strawberries (not to mention his ever-popular fruit flats and icy poles), of cherry
tomatoes and fat juicy blueberries. Crunchy roast macadamias (from Nudgel Nuts or
Rainforest Foods); thirst-quenching Rancho cordials in lime and mandarin; Scratch
Patisserie’s beautiful buttery pastries bejewelled with glossy berries, or sausage rolls.
Playing With Fire has gorgeous biscuits scented with wattle-seed and lemon myrtle and
Davidson’s plum. Under the blue Kiddies’ Plot awning, children paint and glue, mothers
gossip, fathers fling toddlers into the air, and the music plays.
At both New Brighton (8 – 11am) and Mullumbimby (7 – 11am) there will be special
activities and events specifically for children throughout the school holidays.
Victoria Cosford
