The increasing popularity of Bulli Showground for major events was the reason behind a new weekly trash and treasure market, according to organisers.
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The Bulli Pickers Bazaar began with modest crowds on Thursday, offering a variety of wares from television remotes to clothing, fruit trees to power tools and vintage crockery.
Bargain hunters could even pick up hundreds of rubber bands for a couple of gold coins.
Owners of the site – the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) – were looking for another way to help with upkeep of the buildings.
The showgrounds are now home to the Illawarra Festival of Wood, the AMCA Australia Antique Motorcycle Weekend, the Illawarra Folk Festival plus artisan and food markets.
Operations manager Darren Hull said they also catered for nearly 3000 people on New Year’s Eve for a Yours and Owls sold out event, The Last Dance.
“I imagine they’ll want to come back,” Mr Hull said. “The list is growing and we do need to look at [upgrading the facilities].”
He said in December the GBOTA upgraded the air-conditioning system in the main building to a cost of nearly $18,000, while each week they were answering enquiries for new events.
The idea for the Pickers Bazaar was again to draw people to the area as well as generating funds for works around the site.
“We’ve started from scratch, but what I have noticed is everyone is walking out with something,” Mr Hull said of the inaugural event.
“Everyone seems to be carrying a bag of some description.”
The idea for the “junk market” was to be a home for second-hand goods, Mr Hull said anyone from food stalls to artisans could set up a table without being locked into a contract.
The GBOTA have enlisted AMA Event Management to oversee the event as they have extensive knowledge of second-hand markets. The group also look after markets in Prestons, Mulgoa, Orchard Hills, Fairfield and Beaumont.
Mr Hull said the longevity of the markets would be assessed later this year.
The Bulli Pickers market is scheduled for every Thursday from 8am to 1pm (stall holders are to arrive between 5am and 7.45am), except January 17 due to the annual Illawarra Folk Festival.