Denmark’s arts markets return to Berridge Park with a new name plus a call for volunteers and stall holders

Denmark’s iconic arts markets are coming back with organisers issuing a call for potential stall holders and volunteers to help run the revival on April 19. After a three-year hiatus, the popular markets are heading home to Berridge Park, starting on Easter Saturday and featuring a celebration of handmade, or hand-grown, arts, crafts and produce. Organiser Kira Schimmelpfennig issued the shout-out in a bid to make the event as vibrant as it used to be. “Our intention is to bring the markets back to the community in much the same form as they were in years gone by,” she said. “They were so much a part of the town. “So here we are, under the new name of the Denmark River Arts Markets, still community-focused and with the fabulous support of the Denmark Community Resource Centre. “We’re giving it a go this Easter, but we need your support.” The well-loved markets started in 1982 and ran for 40 years. A combination of COVID-19, staff changes at organisers Denmark Arts and other priorities for funding meant they were cancelled after 2022, Ms Schimmelpfennig said. She was the market co-ordinator for five years before the cancellation and, with former artistic director at Denmark Arts Vivienne Robertson, is now behind the revival and the renaming of the event. “It has been such a ninja mission, but we decided to give it a go,” Ms Schimmelpfennig said. “We have a great event program for the stage and around 40 stalls already but there is always room for more.” For more information, see denmarkriverartsmarkets.