Autumn at Remarkables Market

23 March 2011

Queenstown’s popular Remarkables Market is celebrating autumn in the district with three special events this month and next.

Those heading for a Saturday morning browse can do their bit for the planet by taking part in Earth Hour Day this weekend (26 March), get ready for winter chills by entering the Design a Scarf competition (9 April) or let the little ones loose on a truly ‘egg-citing’ Easter Bunny Hunt (23 April).

Remarkables Park Special Projects Executive Olivia Porter said autumn time brought a variety of different products, harvest produce and a flurry of exciting activities for locals and visitors at Remarkables Market.

“It’s the perfect time for foodies, families and craftspeople to come and revel in the season’s magnificent colours and delights,” she said.

Starting with Earth Hour Day on Saturday 26 March, Remarkables Market will help raise awareness for Earth Hour and encourage people to think about what changes that they can make in their daily lives that will benefit the planet.

“We’ll be promoting small changes such as buying local produce and products from markets to reduce food and production miles, and encouraging simple actions such as walking or riding to school or work, unplugging appliances when not in use, washing with cold water and recycling,” Miss Porter said.

Giveaways on the day include Remarkables Market Envirosax bags, while demonstrations will be given by Solar Peak and by Dr Compost (this service is funded by QLDC) with his Bokashi composting buckets. Also supporting Earth Hour Day at Remarkables Market will be Ziptrek Ecotours, Ricoh and Wormworx, who’ll be giving people handy hints such as ‘don’t treat your soil like dirt’.

Alongside Earth Hour Day supporters there will be over 35 artisan stallholders including Queenstown locals Gourmet Kitchen, Stewart Island Salmon, Amalka Soughdough bread, Crisp and Vale, Aspiring Organics, Oreti Nursery, Traditional Heritage Preserves, Queenstown Cup and Cake, Gibbston Valley Cheese, Fresh Fish Brothers, Shotover Garden Centre, Melt Candles and Fresh Pickings.

The Remarkables Market inaugural Design a Scarf competition on Saturday 9 April aims to get shoppers creative and knitted out with a scarf ahead of the colder months.

“By definition a scarf is a length of fabric worn around the head or neck, so entries can be a combination of anything from a variety of colours, knitted, woven, crocheted, using felt, wool, recycled products, cotton, pompoms, feathers, or whatever suits you,” said Miss Porter.

Scarves will be judged on the day by a local Queenstown fashion icon and the winner of the Design a Scarf competition will receive $100 worth of vouchers to spend at Remarkables Market.

Finally those who bring their little ones along to the Remarkables Market on Saturday 23 April will be sure find a chocolate surprise at the Easter Bunny Hunt. For every colourful Easter bunny found, children will receive a chocolate egg. There will be 120 paper bunnies hidden around the market which can be exchanged at the Information Stall.
The Remarkables Market runs every Saturday from 8am to 1pm until Saturday April 30. Follow the signs from Remarkables Park Town Centre There is plenty of parking immediately adjacent to the market.

Follow Remarkables Market on Facebook or on its new website www.remarkablespark.com/community/remarkables-market

ENDS

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