Note to reader: Ah I’m FINALLY back! I took a short break in January as work picked up and then found myself in bouts of failure with technology, drama with my cameras and photography, heatwave struggles… wah small violin wah. And I’m amazed how we have made it to be in February already, but here we are… and with two new posts to boot! I’m going to backdate the last post (which I know is a little cheeky) to when it was *actually* meant to be posted, because that’s when I tried to post before all the fails, and because it makes more sense in January, but anyway. It’s my party. And I’m Back! Now on with this post! 😎
So around the middle of the last year, I got wind that there was going to be a new cool craft market starting up out west around the Man’s old stomping grounds. Now I love a good market and I love that there have been more and more curated-style, “hipster” markets popping up … pop-up style events even. There’s your Finders Keepers, Shaker Makers, Pluto, Etsy Handmade… heaps of markets! I think they’re all really great! Markets can add so much to a weekend: a day out in the sun, perfect as an activity after a brunch, or sometimes the perfect way to search for an interesting meal! But I especially love craft market events, especially curated ones, because then I feel like I’m going to be guaranteed some interesting items or artworks to look at, more than just bric-a-brac. It’s the event of it all really they I enjoy! So when I found out the dates for this new market in Penrith, off went the Man and I to check them out!
The Thornton Artisan and Farmers Market are held at the Thornton Green in Penrith, a cricket oval set in the middle of the brand new housing development area, also called Thornton (or possibly Thornton Estate, I’m not really clear on this). The area is shiny and new (and in some parts still under construction!), set just north of Penrith Station, within close walking distance from the station and the goliath Westfield Mall. We like the drive, and there’s ample street parking all around the oval.
The first market we visited turned out to the be the launch and it was super fun. There’s no cover charge which is nice and I hope it stays that way. At this launch, there were only a few stalls, maybe 10 or so, offering a nice variety of crafts including handmade soaps, candles and clothing. I recall there was a modest number of food options — IIRC a sausage sizzle with artisan sausages, the De Wafel food truck and a mobile coffee van. Not too bad for a first market and all perfectly serviceable! In fact, I recall the coffee van was doing roaring trade and almost ran out of coffee or similar.
I remember thinking that it was such a lovely market. The vibe was really chill and everyone was really friendly and I wanted to come back enjoy it all again and also to see how it developed. I’m a big believer that if you find an event you enjoy, you should always try to support it! And I had high hopes for this one 🙂
Since the launch event, we’ve returned several times and happily each time it gets a little bigger and more interesting! It’s really been quite cool to see it grow and how the community have taken to it. Nowadays you’ll see quite a wide variety of items including artisanal fairy floss, local jewelry, handdrawn artworks, chutneys and honey, and even (my favourite) handwoven baskets from recycled and reclaimed materials such as bread packaging! I also have a close friend, T, who makes beautiful handknit garments and childrens’ clothing and has a regular stall. It’s great to see her getting her crafts out there and loving what she does! And that’s what makes the event really cool as well — the passion of these creators.
The food options have also grown and they set up right on the oval these days to accommodate the growing numbers. The stallholders change with each event, keeping the variety interesting and we’ve seen everything from burgers, mexican, vietnamese, chinese dumplings, gozleme and homemade Filipino streetfood. And we’ve tasted some great “fancy” banh mi, viet iced coffee, nachos and breakfast burgers! My fave were these awesome delicious vege loaded nachos on blue corn chips served by Masterchef contestant Mindy Woods, who was pretty cool. The organisers also set up some rugs and umbrellas for people to enjoy their food. Sometimes there’s also buskers playing chill music!
Every time I go, I always have such a pleasant time, and we now always make it a point to go if we can. The market has such a great atmosphere and I think it’s such a great thing to be doing out West, especially where perhaps people may not think there may be more to the area than the Westfield or that there may be some really great local arts and crafts. Growing up and still living as a Sydney “Westie”, I know that there’s some truly great food, events and treasures to be had beyond the inner west of Sydney, if only you know where to look 🙂 There can be a stigma to the expectations of what you might find out in the “western suburbs”, but generally I’m pretty oblivious because it’s just… well home. But that perception is changing, especially as more and more people heading west to live and more developments move in. While I have to admit I’m not necessarily thrilled about more crowds discovering the cool and popular things out my way, I am always really chuffed when things gain momentum and people discover that there can be a pretty cool vibe out here! The Westies project do a great job of highlighting all the great things that you can find out here in the greater West of Sydney. I’d highly recommend following sydneywesties on instagram to keep up to date with other cool events out west!
At any rate, if you’re around, add it to your calendar and check it out 🙂 Browse some stalls, grab some nosh, and chill in the sunshine – it’s an awesome way to spend a Sunday!
x
A.
Thornton Artisan and Farmers Markets
Held on the third Sunday of the month at Thornton Green, Aviators Way, Penrith
thewesties.com.au/thornton-artisan-and-farmers-market/
P.S. Shoutout to CSJ Lemonaid, who run the beautiful lemon stand pictured above. Check out Juliette’s amazing story raising money to find a cure for motor neurone disease!
Such a pity that the council have refused planning permission for this to run in 2017.