mmg.com.au

Cobram could have an event to rival that of Darwin’s famous Mindil Beach sunset markets.

A food, farmers’ market and entertainment gathering at Thompsons Beach will enter a four-week trial phase in January.

It is the brainchild of Cobram-Barooga Development Inc and Sun Country on the Murray and aims to attract the many thousands of tourists visiting the area during the warmer months.

Organiser Paul Gemmill said the town needed an ‘‘iconic’’ event.

He said a night market, such as that of Darwin’s, could be the answer because of Cobram’s bush, river and beach setting.

Mr Gemmill said about 60 stallholders were confirmed and the committee hoped upwards of 75 stalls would be involved.

He called on community groups to offer their support.

‘‘Our mission statement is to become Australia’s best night market, with an aim to entice tourists from all over the country to Cobram’s hidden gem,’’ he said.

‘‘While you’re wandering through the stalls, an acoustic performer is on stage bashing out some amazing original music, there is a clown wandering through the crowd making balloon animals for kids as they randomly walk by, a face painter is turning the tourist kids into little tigers and the guy juggling the fire sticks on his unicycle has everyone dazzled.’’

Mr Gemmill said the first market was on Friday, January 4 and would run for four weeks. It would then return at Easter for four weeks, from March 29.

The market will open at 6.30pm and close about 10.30pm. It will be fully licensed.

The committee hopes the market will become popular enough to run for 20 weeks of the year — from January to the Easter period.

Mr Gemmill said existing infrastructure, including lighting, left from the Peaches and Cream festival, would be utilised in the new market.

He said stallholder fees would fund entertainment and other costs. Any profits from those fees will be used for further development of the market and its entertainment.

●For more information on the night market, email cobrambeachmarket@gmail.com