By Jamie Furness
The Forest Lake Markets will be returning on Friday July 12 with a Christmas in July theme at the Forest Lake Sports Field on College Avenue from 5 pm – 8 pm.
The mid-year Christmas celebration will feature local stallholders, roaming entertainment, and live entertainment by local singer-songwriter Maisy Taylor and local dance studio Allstars Performing Arts.
Allstars Performing Arts musical theatre students ready to perform at the 2023 Christmas in July markets. Photo by Allstars Performing Arts owner-manager Georgia Eadie.
Stalls will feature an array of small businesses, with local vendors and artisans selling high-quality handmade items, baked goods, and more.
There will also be free face painting, lawn games, children’s activities and several raffle prizes to be won.
Forest Lake Market manager and Forest Lake Wasps vice president Veronica Stickley said last year’s Christmas in July market event was a huge hit.
“It was really popular last year – everyone loved the entertainment,” she said.
“All the stallholders got on board and some of them decorated their stalls Christmas-themed.”
Carissa from Bubble’licious Creations in costume prior to the 2023 Christmas in July market.
With several attractions for children to participate in and a pet-friendly policy allowing pets on a leash, everyone is welcome.
A seating area is available for market goers to bring a picnic mat, take in the atmosphere and connect with their neighbours while enjoying gourmet food from a variety of food trucks.
“Families can bring a picnic rug and have a great night out in the local community,” Veronica said.
Veronica said the monthly community market event has doubled in size, expanding from 30 stalls to 60 stalls since its inception in October 2022.
“Originally, we had around 30 stalls and four food trucks, and now we have 60 plus stalls and 11 food trucks,” she said.
The food trucks rotate each month, offering a variety of international cuisines such as French crepes, Japanese karaage chicken, Latino Fusion and Benz on Miller burgers.
“We also have other various activities each month like a petting zoo or jumping castle or free raffles,” Veronica said.
In addition to supporting small local businesses, the markets have made a great impact in helping children to access sport opportunities.
In 2023, funds raised by the markets covered sign-on fees for more than 50 local children playing rugby at the Forest Lake Junior Rugby Club.
In 2024 the markets partially covered all 50 junior sign-up fees, as well as facilitating funds for a new ride-on mower to maintain the playing fields.
The Forest Lake Markets are held on the second Friday of every month from 5pm – 8pm at the Forest Lake Sports Field on College Avenue.
To apply for a stall, email markets.forestlakewasps@gmail.com.
