Who said winter markets are dull???

Wow, what a great market we had last weekend! The 15th of August didn't hold much hope - overcast weather predicted with showers thrown in for extra annoyance. Nothing deters shoppers more than a rainy day. Well this was one rainy day that I bet you wish you had got out of bed for! The stallholder's spirits started fairly high as the longer days mean better growing conditions and many had heard our ads across numerous radio stations during the week (thanks MediaWorks!). However, the rain looked like it would keep the shoppers away and that's not good for anyone.

Then Peter started to play. Peter sells tomatos and other hot house veg with his wife Dianne every week in the market. But Peter has hidden talents; a musician with a loyal following and a series of regular gigs around Auckland, he was keen to have a spot busking in the market. Peter comes from Barbados so he's outgoing and entertaining. By 9 am his lively tunes were filling the market place and the mood of the market skyrocketed - there is nothing like Caribbean sounds (Peter was on keyboard and sang for every song) to lift the day. All the classics were also belted out (10 Guitars, anyone?) and he had stallholders dancing behind their tables. Shoppers walked into the market swaying to the beat and kids danced on the lawn.

Despite the rain and grey skies, the market was happy, shoppers and stallholders alike were having a great time. Yes, Peter will be back singing, but no, I won't tell you when. You're going to have to come on the rainy days to enjoy the talents of all of our other buskers while you wait for Peter's lively sounds to be heard again...