Blakes Crossing Markets: 5 Things I Love

We have had the honour of attending the Blakes Crossing Markets since March, 2020. This amazing market is located at 14 Boucaut Avenue, Blakeview, on the first Sunday of every month – with a handful of Twilight Markets thrown in the mix too! If you haven’t already visited, here are 5 reasons why you should!

1.      The Heart of Blakes. Corina, Jess and Ruby put their heart and souls into making a bubbly and welcoming atmosphere.

There’s truly no other market organiser as cheeky as Corina is! If you have a stall, be sure to watch it at all times otherwise you may risk something being swiped – but fear not, she always returns what is collected! And many of us have even had sales when she has paraded around the market grounds, proudly showing off our wares.

Across the years, I have seen them go through a lot. Through sickness and heartache, I have seen these three show up for the community. Just last month, Corina arrived to the first twilight market of the year on crutches, from an accident during the previous event they hosted – of all things!

It goes without saying that the Blakes Crossing Markets truly wouldn’t be the same without this trio behind the wheel. They put their heart and soul into making every event memorable, and are always great to talk, laugh and dance with.

2.      Diversity among stall holders. The key to any good market is diversity. No one wants to visit a place with 101 identical candle stalls, after all.

The Blakes Crossing Markets always have a wide variety of stallholders for customers to browse. Their regular stall selection includes freshly made coffee, cakes and homemade jams and chutneys to plants, candles and plenty of handmade creations like bags, clothes and jewellery!

Not to mention, you can also find treats for your four-legged friends (cats and dogs included)! There are often dog treat stalls that attend, and a stall that includes lucky dips for cats and dogs (which we have purchased from on a handful of occasions, and our cattos have never been disappointed!)

There’s something for everyone at the Blakes Crossing Markets.

3.      Location meets community. Located in front of the Blakes Crossing Christian College, the Blakes Crossing Markets is easy to get to and accessible. There’s no need to worry about muddy shoes during the winter months when you’re walking in a carpark!

The local shopping centre is just across the road with a public restroom and nearby is a local playground. There is a bus stop nearby, so if driving isn't possible, a bus service can help. And if you’re in need of a tasty lunch, the Blakes Crossing Fasta Pasta is just across the road!

It’s part of our monthly routine to enjoy a hot meal (or cold ice cream!) from Fasta Pasta after a market. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day, and have a chat with Robert and Guri who are always so welcoming.

4.      Respect for Stallholders. For me, there is always a worry when we attend a brand-new market – especially with the promotion aspect.

As DV survivors, we are careful about posting photos of ourselves online. It makes lives easier than being bombarded by people who would only ruin the event for everyone.

After our first market there, I noticed a picture of us on Facebook and sent a message, asking for it to be removed from the post due to privacy reasons. Jess and Corina were very understanding of the situation, and removed the image in question immediately. Since that day – we have never had an image of our faces on their social media pages since, and they have never pushed for us to change our minds.

Knowing that our privacy and safety is valued is something I will always treasure, and a reason why we will always attend the market.

5.      Twilight Markets. As mentioned earlier, the Blakes Crossing Markets also hosts Twilight Markets toward the end of the year. From October through to December, you get twice as much handmade goodness – just in the afternoon.

While the word ‘Twilight’ insinuates a market that’s held into the night (or in sun where everyone glitters), neither are the case. The Twilight Markets are held between 1/2PM to 5/6PM, meaning the market isn’t carried out into the night (which also includes pack-up for the stallholders).

Hosting regular Twilight Markets are a great benefit to stallholders and customers in the later months of the year. It serves as a great opportunity to support small and local when coming up to the busy festive seasons of the year. With twice the markets, it gives everyone (other stallholders included!) plenty of opportunities to source gifts that are made locally and with love – not imported and made of cheap plastic that will break within a month (if it even lasts that long).

Twilight Markets will always hold an important opportunity for the people who can’t attend a morning market due to other commitments or are simply night owls/permanently exhausted pigeons, as opposed to the early bird!

You’ll find us there on the first Sunday of every month from 9am-1pm – and at whatever Twilight Markets are being hosted throughout the year. We hope to see you there as well!

Have a great day,

Kimberley (they/them)

Accessories by Antoinette