Still Rocing after 10 years

Still Rocing after 10 years.

This month, the RoC Market turns 10 years old and with over 120 markets since its inception it is Suva City’s longest running, consistently held street market.

Still RoCing after 10 years the RoC Market is a non-profit, community event that continues to support and develop budding artists and crafts people.

The RoC Market crew will have a low key celebration this weekend, with some live music and a relaxed atmosphere planned for the day. The 10 year birthday bash is scheduled for December where organisers, market goers and vendors will mark the significant 10 year milestone.

The organisers hope to get the Suva City Council on board to help close an additional road for the Christmas market, as they have outgrown the current space on Loftus Street.

New market event managers Jodi Hayward and Talei Wilson took over the running of the market in April this year and have grown the market from 32 vendors to a database of 107 with the backing of a small but big hearted group of sponsors/supporters who all chip in the keep the market going.

They say the market has grown so popular, that this month, the market was fully booked before the notifications were sent out to vendors.

From the provision of tents and transport vehicles, to rubbish collection and radio airtime, Suva City’s longest
running community street event is supported by: Matenga Creative Limited (flagship sponsor); GDC Communications; ANZ; Green Steps; Legend FM; Wai Tui; Colonial / BSP; Coca-Cola; Nestle; Vodafone; Pasifika Tents; and Esquires.

“We are always on the look out looking for more RoCing supporters, so if you have something to offer, please get in touch,” says Ms Hayward.

“With an overwhelming number of new vendors and the ever faithful stall holders of nearly ten years, the RoC Market is set to RoC this Sunday,” she says.

Market organisers are urging locals, expats and tourists alike to join the 400 other ‘Market Goers’ between 9am and 4pm, on Loftus Street, next to Dolphin’s Plaza in Suva city this Sunday.

Ms Hayward says Market goers can expect to see a variety of goodies on display at this week’s market with over 75 stall holders set to sell their home and hand made wares.

“From delicious home made jams, cakes and pickles to beautiful hand made jewellery and wonderful local art – its all happening at the RoC street market this Sunday,” says Ms Hayward.

“We will have some interesting new vendors this month including the Suva Gramma Ex-students Association, some artists all the way from the west and a variety of hand crafted woodwork, toys, clothes, babywear, t-shirts and sulus.

“We have been keen to get more artists involved and we are very happy to see a growing presence of artists including, tattoo art, Samoa prints, contemporary home-based artists and of course traditional Fijian art on masi,” says Ms Hayward.

Earlier this year organisers started a ‘Buskers Corner’ launched by up and coming Reggae artist Inoke (KNOX) Kalounisiga who entertained the crowd with his mellow live tunes.

“For the Buskers Corner we provide the space, the mic, some speakers and a collection box. The artists sit there and sing/perform and people walk past and flick them what ever spare change they have - it’s called Busking and is very common throughout the world. KNOX was able to sell his CD’s and received some decent donations during his performance,” says Ms Hayward.

KNOX who will be performing at the market again this weekend was the first of many artists organisers hope will take advantage of the market promo spot. Organisers are inviting other performers to come along to showcase their talent during the market and promote themselves. Anyone wanting to profile themselves and get the word out about their talent should get in touch with organisders.

The dates for the RoC Market are set in concrete for the rest of the year, with ten year celebrations planned for September. Dates are as follows:

• 19th September 2010 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY RoC

• 17th October 2010 – PINK THEME – in support of the Fiji Cancer Society

• 21st November 2010 – DIWALI THEME

• 19th December 2010 - CHRISTMAS AND 10 YEAR CELEBRATIONS

ENDS

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