Locals embracing winter markets

The official opening of the Carterton Farmers' Market at Memorial Square in Carterton in February 2015. Photo / File

It's the middle of winter, and although the cold may invite a Sunday morning spent in bed, Sunday's Carterton Farmers' Market is thriving.

Louisa Broughton, co-organiser of the markets, said she expected the event to be quieter in the winter but the Wairarapa community is embracing it wholeheartedly.

"There's a real community that has built-up around the markets this year between stallholders and regulars, and while there aren't as many tourists now as there were in summer, we're still potting along," she said.

"We're still seeing around 15 to 20 stalls this winter, in the summer we would have around 28 to 32 but that number will rise back up in September."

"It's interesting in the winter because while it's a bit smaller, there is still so much variety, especially when it comes to the seasonal stuff, with vegetables and produce stalls and the lavender people are pretty much there every week along with many other regular stallholders."

"We also have a variety of casual stallholders that come and go and that's cool too, it's what the markets are all about."

The markets are usually in Memorial Square but have been set up outside the Carterton Events Centre recently.

"Memorial Square is obviously a better location from an advertising perspective but it gets too windy in the winter and cold," Mrs Broughton said.

"The events centre location gives the markets almost like a courtyard feel with the arrangement of the stalls, but it will go back to the square in September."

"It's looking like we'll have more people in September because we'll be running at the same time as the daffodil festival. We'll be working closely with them and donating the stall levies to the cause because we're not for profit."