FAMILIES will have even more reason to make a day of it at the Molong Markets this October, with a new dedicated Kids Zone set to bring rides, face painting, ice cream and snow cones to the popular community event.
The Molong Markets will return to the Ross Memorial Recreation Ground on Monday 6 October, from 9am to 2pm, with the new space for children one of the major additions planned for the day.
Market coordinator Pauline Painter said the new area was designed to give children plenty to enjoy while families explored the market.
“This year we will be having a specific Kids Zone with rides, face painting, ice cream and snow cones for the kids to enjoy,” she said.
The new attraction aims to complement an event that’s set to feature 95 market stalls, with everything from handmade goods and local produce to clothing, plants, and food.
Demand for a place at the market remains strong, with more than 150 stallholder applications received for less than 100 available sites.
Ms Painter, who joined the Molong Advancement Group, otherwise known as MAG, after moving to the town in 2024, took on the role of market coordinator at Easter last year.
Her role involves promoting the markets, organising stallholders, booking the location, liaising with Cabonne Council and acting as the main point of contact for the event.
She also completes sponsorship paperwork and the project plan, works with the MAG president on the budget, manages the market’s risk management plan and has developed an online booking form for stallholders.
Once applications are received, Ms Painter collates them before working with the MAG committee to decide which businesses and producers will be allocated a stall.
“We receive over 150 applications for approximately 95 stalls, so we do have to look at the applications and try and get a good mix,” she said.
Visitors can expect plenty of familiar market favourites, including preserves, honey, wine, hats and scarves, salami, clothes, candles, ornaments, soaps, dog treats and much, much more.
Ms Painter said organisers were also hoping to make room for some new stalls.
There will be plenty of choice when it comes to food, with visitors able to choose from healthy poke bowls, burgers, chips, Vietnamese food, Turkish Gozleme, vegetarian finger foods and the popular Lions Club barbecue.
For those with a sweet tooth, there will be gluten free doughnuts, pancakes and ice cream, while coffee vans will be on hand throughout the day.
And while the market offers plenty to keep visitors at the recreation ground, people are also encouraged to head into Bank Street and support Molong’s cafes and pubs.
Ms Painter said the market had become an event that attracted people from well beyond the local area.
“It is great to hear about all the visitors we get from far and wide, people from all over the country coming to Molong and having a great day out,” she said.
Ms Painter said that, despite the considerable amount of work involved in coordinating the event, seeing the community enjoy the market made it all worthwhile.
“Coordinating the event takes a lot of time and commitment, responding to emails and looking at all the applications, however on the day when I see the community come together it is worth the effort,” she said.
For families who have never been to the Molong Market, Ms Painter said October would be a good time to come along.
“For anyone who hasn’t been to the market before, I would encourage them to come and enjoy the atmosphere and support the community,” she said.
“Meet up with friends and family and let the kids have some fun.”
Entry to the market is free, although a gold coin donation is welcome, with money raised returned to the local community.
