Newcastle City Farmer's Market is primed to add night markets to its menu of events.
The first night market at the Broadmeadow showground location is scheduled for Friday, November 1, running from 4pm to 10pm. They have booked the additional dates of Friday, December 6, and Friday, December 20, and are considering more dates in early 2025.
The night markets will focus on providing free family entertainment, with live music from 5pm to 8pm and a family-oriented movie on a big screen from 8pm to 9.30pm.
Market manager Kevin Eade expects about 30 food trucks on the night.
There will not be the usual Sunday market food vendors, but there will be drinks, ice cream, popcorn, watermelon wedges and the like available, as well as a wide variety of food truck experiences.
Night market convenor Jodie Lee said there could be as many as 160 artisan stalls.
"I personally think Newcastle is missing something for the family," Ms Lee said. "I think the outdoor cinema is something special."
Food truck vendors who already committed include Sita's Pizza, a roaming woodfired pizza trailer from the west side of Lake Macquarie, that specialises in hand-rolled pre-fermented gourmet pizzas; a Karuah oyster and seafood supplier and Red Belly Gourmet, a long-time Sunday market vendor.
There will also be wine, gin, beer and other spirits companies on hand, although only selling bottled or cartons of their product not for consumption on the grounds.
But, there will be a licenced vendor on site on the night for visitors who want to enjoy an alcoholic drink.
Despite tougher economic conditions, Ms Lee said the night markets meet the test of value for money.
"There is still money, but they are very particular on what they spend it on," she said. "We've got great value for food vendors... It's a fairly in expensive night out."
The markets are free (parking for cars is $3, same as on Sundays). There will be beanbags and low-lying tables for children who want to watch the movies, plus the usual provision of outdoor seating that is provided at the Sunday markets.
Newcastle City Farmers' Markets have weathered the tighter economy, still drawing around 6800 visitors to the Sunday food markets at Broadmeadow.
Mr Eade said the market they operate at Stockland Glendale shopping centre on Saturdays has continued to grow in its two years of operation. Those markets replaced the fortnightly markets at Speers Point park.
The Glendale market has about 50 food vendors (growers and resellers), up from 28 when they began, and Mr Eade is optimistic it will eventual have about 100 vendors.
Mr Eade also operates the Sunday markets at Gosford Showground, with about 60 stalls of specialised food producers serving about 5000 visitors a week.
