Manfeild perfect for huge market

MORE ‘special somethings’ will be on sale when the biggest indoor craft event in the country comes back to the largest indoor venue of its type in the lower North Island.

The Feilding Craft Market at Manfeild Stadium has always been a mecca for treasure hunters and this year’s event, on Friday June 8 and Saturday June 9, will elevate that status all the more, organiser Heather Philip suggests.

“We have been travelling the country all year to add those special somethings to our event and have found many wonderful artisans, some of whom have never been to any shows before,” she says.

Garden art in the shape of larger-than-life insects – weta, spiders, dragonflies and centipedes – retro chairs with Cadillac print upholstery, designer clothes, handmade tiles, blankets, copper fountains, vintage collectibles … those are just a small count of the numerous items that will be on sale.

The aim is to deliver the best that New Zealand craftspeople have to offer at a two-day gathering that has become a true destination event.

“There are thousands of goodies so get ready to shop: It’s all here and, of course, it’s all indoors,” Mrs Philip said.

Manfeild chief executive Julie Keane says there is no doubt that being staged under a single roof in a spacious environment has been a plus for a long-running show that draws more than 200 stalls.

“We’re the ideal place for this annual event – stallholders, who come from all over the country, are rapt because they have enough space to show off their wares and the thousands of attendees love it because they can fossick in comfort and have just a short walk to our vast adjacent parking zone.

“We’re a great example of why big is actually better.”

The market is open from 9am to 4pm both days with a $5 admission fee.

Caption: Manfeild Stadium is always a hive of activity when hosting Feilding Craft and Vintage Market.