Bokkie Park Food and Craft Market celebrates 25 years of success
The founders said they want to see the market carry on for many more years.
Boksburg’s famous market, the Bokkie Park Food and Craft Market, is this month celebrating its 25th anniversary of continuous successful trade.
The first monthly market was held in October 2000 and has since grown into one of Boksburg’s most cherished community outdoor markets.
It began with a mere 34 traders and has grown to over a 100 stalls that include a variety of traders, crafts, food stalls, and other non-food outlets.
One of the founders, who also oversees the market, Janine Richardson (64), took the Boksburg Advertiser on a trip down memory lane when the monthly market returned on October 4 to mark its milestone.
“This market was started by my mother and me, and it has since gone from strength to strength.
“Me and my mother have been crafters for over 40 years and we used to drive distances to markets as there was nothing out on the East Rand. So, we decided to start one here.
“We now have a car boot sale which was introduced by the Boksburg Advertiser a few years ago. It is a big attraction at the moment.
“A lot of people use it to it get rid of their old stuff and make some money, and you can also find and grab some great bargains.”
Talking about moments that make the market so special, Richardson said for her it feels like the 25 years has gone very quickly.
“It’s been a very rewarding 25 years, with all the amazing people. The crafters are like a big family where we all look after each other, and have a good time out.
“It’s very special. We enjoyed the journey. And we met a lot of very nice people here.
Community project
“The market is also helping community members. It’s like a community project because on top of being a good day out, both the market and the car boot sale provide a safe environment for people to come and sell their stuff.
“We have the car boot sale, which Caxton handed over to us to run, and it is still going strong.
It’s very popular with regulars and new people coming as early as 06:00, before the market starts at 9am. You would see customers as early as 06:00 flocking down here and searching through stuff trying to score a bargain.
Looking forward to many more years to come
One of the traders, Rosie Engelbrecht, who has been a regular trader at the market for over nine years, said the market has helped her to grow their family’s small food business from one food trailer to two trailers.
“We started small and gradually grew to this, and we look forward to many more years of trade here.
“Janine has been very wonderful and she looks after all of us here.”
Two young entrepreneurs, Skyla and her sister Jemma Smith, have been regulars at the market since November when the market offered them the opportunity to exhibit and sell their own creations. They grabbed the opportunity with both hands and said they look forward to remaining members for many years to come.
“This has, for the past months, been helping us a lot to grow our small business and make some extra cash for our family,” said the enthusiastic pair.
As a token of appreciation, Richardson visited the stalls and handed out some sweeties to traders and supporters.
Richardson, who said she doesn’t see herself retiring any time soon, said she and her mother want to see the market carry on for many more years.
“No. I’m not leaving any time soon. I’m 64. My mother is 88, but she is still doing crafts and is here every month.
“Remember, for us it is more of a passion than anything else. We don’t make a lot of money, but we enjoy it and seeing people growing their small businesses has been fulfilling.”
The family also runs the popular Bunny Park Food and Craft Market in Benoni, which they started a year after the Boksburg market.
