Armidale Markets in the Mall were held on Sunday, October 27 with a successful showing of about 80 stallholders, and many interested customers filling the eastern end of the Beardy Street Mall.
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Held on the last Sunday of each month, the market always draws a good variety of stallholders, many of whom reported being very happy about their turnover from this month's event, which is organised and run by members from Armidale's AM Rotary Club and Armidale's PCYC.
Rotary AM president Sam Doyle said Sunday's market would be the last involving input from his organisation.
"Our club has been running the Markets In the Mall since 2014 with the PCYC," he said.
"As of next Sunday, November 3, the AM Rotary Club will start running the Farmers Market [in Curtis Park] on the first and the third Sundays of the month.
"Today has been a fantastic market. You name it, we have it down here, and we love the fact that at Market In the Mall we've been promoting and stallholders affected by the drought."
Mr Doyle estimated the markets were visited by several hundred to 1000 people throughout a great day of fine weather and live music.
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"We're also looking forward to big crowds at the markets in Curtis Park," he said.
"Anyone can buy anything from Markets In the Mall, but the Farmer's Market has got a bit of different 'feel' to it.
"It's still very community orientated, hence we've called it the Armidale Community Farmer's Markets."
He said it was a forum for local producers to sell their goods.
"We have quite a few spaces open for more stallholders. We've got a very large area there that we can fill and we'd love to see some producers come down to sell their product," Mr Doyle said.
With the new name also came a long-term plan to expand markets.
"We got plans to try some new ideas, try some new concepts and they will eventuate over time," he said.
"Our goal is to work with the current stall-holders and community, to see what works and what they might want to see improved.
"With the new management comes positive changes hopefully. But our goal is making sure everyone gets a say in what happens. It's not just us saying what will happen. It needs to continue the community-feel of the markets into the new age."
Armidale Regional Council also held a water expo in the eastern end of the Mall. Its visitors included the Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall MP.
A fan of markets, Mr Marshall visited the council stall following the drive home from the Sapphire City Festival at Inverell.
"I've bought some hot chocolate and some snacks, and caught up with a few people from out of town who are are here to have a bit of a look at things," he said.
"I like the Farmers Market down in Curtis Park too."
