The Valla Beach Community Association hold a market festival on the first Saturday of every even month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, and Dec), focusing on home made and home grown local produce - food, arts, crafts and fantastic musical talent. The event runs from 8am to 2pm at the Valla Reserve (also known as “Lion’s Park”), at Valla Beach, a serene and peaceful seaside village.

The location is next to the footbridge across Deep Creek, at the end of Ocean View Drive, and just a kilometre or two from the Pacific Highway. Head towards the Valla Beach Tourist Park and turn left just before the entry - follow the signs! The valley’s community groups also attend, giving locals and visitors information & access to their services.

Next Market - June 2nd

The next Valla Beach Community Market is on June 2nd 2012 and will have a special focus on youth. We are planning on several workshops:

• Drumming circle - bring your own Djembe or early birds can borrow a drum
• AfroCuban roots dance workshop - experience a historical journey through dance via the ancient Warrior / Goddess rhythms to the Salsa with High Priestess Christina
• Hip-hop dance workshop
• Circus workshop

Whilst youth focused, the workshops are open to all ages. The workshops are partly funded by our sponsor the Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) and all are free of charge but a gold coin donation would be appreciated.

Come along and meet some of the characters from Smile Productions (www.smileproductions.com.au/page2.htm).

Music will be provided by Left on Scarborough, a 3-piece reggae funk band.

April Market

Someone up there is looking out for us! The fantasic weather and Easter holiday spirit saw huge crowds flock to the market. Most of the foodies ran out of some or all supplies and the ever popular Lions van was replenished twice or three times. The sun, fabulous music by Freedom Summers and Easter eggs handed out by the Easter Bunny, combined to make a very convivial atmosphere.

The run of fine weather meant that we could return to our normal location under the beauiful paperbarks. So a huge Thank You to the 60+ stall holders, the musicans, the public at large, and the hard-working committee especially the Easter Bunny.

There were three prizes in the raffle; the first price was a painting by our local Valla Beach artist Bronwyn Rodden, with two Easter baskets for second and third prizes. Raffle winners were:

• 1st prize (painting) - orange ticket A93 won by Molly Bence
• 2nd prize (Easter basket) - orange ticket D63 won by Jacqui
• 3rd prize (Easter basket) - orange ticket A90 won by Tony Kokegei.

Congratulations to Molly, Jacqui and Tony, and a big Thank You to Bronwyn.

The market is an initiative of the Valla Beach Community Association to raise money for the protection, repairs and positive growth of Valla Beach along with creating an avenue for networking and bringing the community together for good times and great bargains.

Our current target is the provision of playground and exercise equipment at Anderson Park. The markets are contributing funds towards an estimated $40,000 for this project and as a result of a very successful Easter market we have now passed the halfway mark (see left). In fact, installation of the children's playground at Anderson Park is near completion - check out the Community News page!

Working with Community Groups

The valley's community groups such as WIRES, Nambucca Valley Conservation Association, Valla Beach Fire Brigade, and 2NVR Community Radio also participate to spread the good word and valuable work they carry out in the area.

The Valla Beach Community Market is proudly supported by many local businesses, including Nambucca Shire Council, Lions Club of Valla, AKS Electrical, Mike Blewitt Ford, Pushkar, Valla Real Estate, Valla Beach Tourist Park, the Community Drug & Alcohol Team (CDAT), Coopers Timbers and 2NVR Community Radio 105.9FM.

We would like to thank them for their continued support of this wonderful community event.

http://facebook.com/vallabeachmarkets

The Nambucca Valley Local Food Network was successfully launched in September 2009. It's a wonderful local venture enabling farmers to sell their produce through a group who deals directly with consumers.

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Credits

Thanks to the Valla Beach Community Market team for maintaining this site and providing photos; special thanks also to Alison Windmill for the graphic design of the logos.