IF you’re looking for something fun to do on the Easter long weekend – or just a bit of exercise to work off all that chocolate you’ve eaten – head on down to Town Green in Port Macquarie on Easter Sunday 20 April.
The Hastings Masonic markets are on there from early morning until late afternoon, with 30-plus stalls of goodies for sale.
Masonic Lodge Master Paul Bonk said the markets were staged every three months, and patrons could find just about anything and everything they could imagine there.
“Clothes, pens, wind chimes, craft, car parts, glassware, toys, jewellery – the list just goes on,” Mr Bonk said.
“It’s a great place for a family outing and to spend an hour or two browsing.”
Nor are refreshments forgotten. Members of the lodge (known as Freemasons), man a sausage sizzle, and you’ll also find a coffee stand and stalls selling such goodies as doughnuts, fudge and licorice.
Mr Bonk said the markets were originally held at the Masonic Hall in Grant Street but were moved to Town Green last year, where they have thrived in the much more prominent location.
All the money raised from stallholder fees after expenses is donated to charity, which means that patronising the markets is also helping those in need. The lodge’s current recipient is Dads In Distress, an organisation which helps newly single fathers after a relationship breakdown.
For those not familiar with them, the Masons are a men-only community group dating back thousands of years in Europe. The Port Macquarie lodge was established 135 years ago. Members do a lot of charitable fund-raising and money raised locally is matched dollar for dollar by head office up to $5000.
Inquiries about the Masons or markets can be directed to Paul on 0433 420 014.
