Marketing Coordinator Kristen Lilley says both Paddy’s Markets locations will hold events over the weekend.
“We have a Lion Dance troupe going through Haymarket and Flemington this weekend. They’ll be visiting traders, and also stopping so members of the public can get photos of the Lion Dance and the God of Wealth,” she says.
“The public involvement at Paddy’s is always good, especially at Haymarket where you’re right in the middle of China Town. We always see a lot of photos on social media after the event.”
She says they also hold a major event for wholesalers, which will be on the morning of Wednesday, 10th February this year.
“We usually do the wholesaler morning before the actual Chinese New Year, but it’s on a Monday this year so we’ll be celebrating on the Wednesday just after that from 6am to 9am,” she says.
For this event, Sydney Markets has hired the renowned Jin Wu Koon Lion and Dragon Dance Association, which includes about 40 dancers.
“They’ll be going through the market and visiting all the traders, and we’ll have traditional firecrackers to ward off the evil spirits as well. Then we end with a big performance at the main gate,” Ms Lilley says.
“The wholesaler morning is big for us, and all the traders get involved in some way.”
She says Sydney Markets has been celebrating Chinese New Year for years and loves the way everyone gets involved.
“It’s a great event and we all really look forward to it.”
Sydney Markets also sees increased interest in certain fruits and vegetables around Chinese New Year, with Sue Dodd saying fruits with golden and red colouring are particularly popular.
“Traditionally in the Northern Hemisphere it’s gold and red, so anything citrus. For us, I’ve seen longans, lychees, rambutan if you can find them, dragon fruit and mangoes,” she says.
“I’ve also noticed this time of year sees lychees on branches, with their greenery – so there’s been a few boxes of those around. And it’s always a good time for your traditional leafy greens like bok choy and choy sum.”
For more information:
Kristen Lilley
Sydney Markets
Tel: +61 293 256 297
Email: kristen.lilley@sydneymarkets.com.au
www.sydneymarkets.com.au
www.paddysmarket.com.au