Crowds confirm day a big success

Street performers Robin (front) and Francis, aka The Apologisers, entertained the crowds at The Little Big Markets on Saturday. Photo / Joel Ford

Giant roaming eyeballs, sexy samba dancers and dozens of stalls kept thousands entertained at The Strand on Saturday.

The Little Big Markets set up right on the waterfront as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival, with the mix of stalls and free entertainment attracting a large crowd.

Street performers from Hamilton's Free Lunch Street Theatre Agency wandered through the market, some dressed in period costume, as huge eyeballs or on stilts with painted faces, as nearby cafes and restaurants filled to capacity.

Papamoa mum Nicky White was out enjoying the sun with her children, Clare, 15 and Adam 16. The threesome said it was great to see such a huge turnout.

"We just went and saw The Pianist together and it was great to come down here afterwards and have a look around," Mrs White said. "Tauranga feels so alive this weekend."

The Little Big Market co-organiser Rachelle Duffy said the day was a success and proved that Tauranga's Central Business District (CBD) could be a happening place.

"There were people everywhere," she said.

"It was a great day. Let's face it, the CBD can be tumbleweed city some days. On Saturday there was a huge crowd, stallholders were telling me they didn't see a lull all day.

"This event, which was a collaboration between The Little Big Markets and the Tauranga Arts Festival, showed that the right kind of event can breathe life back into the CBD, it was awesome."

Next month, The Little Big Markets and Night Owl Cinema will team up for monthly outdoor cinema and night markets, also on the Tauranga waterfront.

The launch event, on November 15, kicks off with the market from 5pm before the movie Boy is played on the outside cinema at 9pm. For more information check out www.thelittlebigmarkets.co.nz.