We are very proud of our first car boot sale at the Bunny Park Food and Craft Market; it was really, really lekker.
The market has been going for years, under the organisation of Janine Richardson and her mom, Joan, and is a massive drawcard on its own, but we do believe the City Times car boot sale has created an added buzz which families from far and near came to check out.
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What sets a boot sale apart from a normal market, I think, is the curiosity factor, which goes back to the old adage of one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.
I just love that about second-hand shopping, finding an item someone else deems useless or kitsch – that and the fact there are stories behind just about every item on sale.
Some could be fishing tales, yes, just to get the item sold, but I think most are genuine stories.
The vendors too have incredible stories to tell of what’s behind their produce or choice of crafts, and I was very impressed to see the number of talented Benonians who are part of the market.
The other interesting thing to see is the market come to life.
Market people are early birds – because they want to catch the best spot, of course.
Like a travelling show or circus coming to town… the trucks are offloaded, the tent goes up, the lights are strung, entertainers scramble into their costumes and make-up, final sound checks happen and the smell of popcorn start wafting through the air before, finally, it’s showtime!
It’s hard work and there are some fails, like many people not dressing warmly enough on Saturday morning for the weird cold snap and rain, which thankfully cleared up, or missing gazebo poles, tables that won’t co-operate or stock that got left behind.
Nevertheless, 9am is showtime, ready or not.
The public did not seem deterred by the weather, thankfully, and shortly after opening the place was buzzing with sales and conversations and exchanges of banter, buying of delicious foods and bargaining over bargains.
With live music in the background and a divine nibble of cream cheese with a freshly baked (on site) bagel, I whiled away the time with the rest of the City Times team, chatting to stallholders and car boot vendors… and shopping!
I found a beautiful woven toy basket for R50 and it would appear my mission was to fill it with even more bargains before I left. I almost succeeded.
Everyone has something to sell. Our homes are full of clutter and dust catchers.
So, why not book your stall for the next City Times car boot sale on February 29?
I know I’ll be there, selling my previously loved items and buying other people’s.
It’s a win-win for all involved!
When the Bunny Park does eventually fully reopen to the public, which the metro has let us know will happen in March (“but this is also dependent on the weather”), the Bunny Park Food and Craft Market and the City Times car boot sale are going to be the place to be and be seen.
We’re very lucky to still have the Bunny Park, so please come along and show your support, not only for the sustainability of the park but for the livelihoods of the many vendors who make their way there to put on a fantastic day out for families on the last Saturday of each month.
