Sandown Racecourse Market - Review

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Posted 2015-08-04 by Jen ⇒ follow

Sat 15 Aug 2015

A brand new market oh so very close to me. Perfectly happy about that. Looks like it's coming around again on the 15th of August 2015 - 9am to 2pm, so make sure you head down there to check out over 200 stalls spread across the spacious grounds of Sandown Racecourse (591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale) , with lots of parking. It'll cost you $4 to park there, but that's all you'll pay to enjoy browsing through the huge variety of stalls there. You'll find them on the grassy area and the undercover area. When I was at their first market last month, the food section was further down the back at the tail end of the regular stalls. There were seats to sit and have your meal and musos plucking guitars and playing their tunes to serenade you. Very pleasant indeed.

Upon entering, it's not until you start exploring the grounds that you realise it's quite a big market. It's not immediately obvious because the grounds are so spacious. There was a really interesting rustic looking shop at the entry that seemed to be selling metal rusted alphabets and pillars. The pillars were intricately punched out to form beautiful images (see picture below) through which light shone at night. I didn't stop at the shop as they were busy with other customers, but it seemed they were garden night lights and I'm pretty sure one of them was solar operated. They also had the most amazing sounding large timber chimes that resonated through to your very core.

Some of the things that caught my eye were the handmade bags and other creations from Dashing Designs because they had a lot of superhero themes built in, and yes, I do admit, even at my age, I love my superheroes. The stall pictured in the image above was also quite impressive in that it wasn't your run of the mill item. She handmade these lovely fabric alphabet blocks and other fabric covered shapes of fairies and so on that you can stick onto your walls with double sided tape to form a theme.

Sally's Soaps had a very good organic feel/country look about them. They're palm oil free and have 100% natural essential oils in them. You can even shop online with her. Then there was this stall called the 'man cave' that had all kinds of intriguing metal sculptures fashioned out of old taps and such like which was quite unusual and eye-catching. Don't you just love the complaints button? Press if you dare!

Beyond the picket fence is a stall I know and have purchased from a couple of times. I decided to pick up one of her unusual pieces of glass garden art, handmade by repurposing crystal and vintage glass and ceramic chinaware. I thought it would be a perfect one-of-a-kind art piece to give to one of my besties for Christmas. As the stall holder states. It'll add some flare and colour to that empty part of the garden where nothing seems to grow. What an absolutely perfect idea. Add to that a petting zoo, musicians serenading you and beautiful clothes with a country feel in whites and creams incorporating the humble doily, and you have the makings of a very pleasant morning.

If you're after some very durable handmade peg baskets, made from durable, UV stabilised, weather resistant outdoor materials with a galvanised wire handle, look no further than Handmade Peg Baskets of course. They're designed to be left outside, rain, hail or shine and made to last 10 plus years I'm told. You can find this stall at their other regular markets as well. The Red Hill Community Market , Mornington Racecourse Market and Flemington Racecourse Market.

After all that shopping, head down to the food section where you'll be faced with a variety of stalls. I had to have one of my favourites, the famous MrDuk' s tarts. I gave myself permission to pig out when I saw that my other favourite food stall le petite crêperie breiz (0419 005 834 or 0439 655 747) was also at this first time market. Ugh! what's a girl to do. Have a delicious crêpe as well of course. I experienced their delicious food when I reviewed the Mulgrave Farmers and Makers Market , and featured them in the article .

There's just not enough stomach around when you need it. Melbourne Paella 's food in those amazing large paella pans which I adore, also looked delightful, but I just could not fit anything more in. They also cater to events, corporate functions, private parties and weddings.

As you can see from the pictures below, there's a whole lot more market in the undercover area where I found Jessie Lee Cakes ; and no, I could not fit anymore food in my tummy, but I did take home a six pack for my daughter. Make sure you don't miss this next upcoming market on the 15th of August. This market has everything (see pic below) including a children's book's author, Adam Wallace , signing his books for the fans.

Kudos to Craft Markets Australia who run nine amazingly large and successful markets. They've done it again with this new addition. Sandown Racecourse Market is only 25 kms from the city and is easily accessible by train or car from Dandenong Road, Princes Highway and Springvale Road.