Retail therapy at UC
09 May 2011
Kunekune pigs, shaggy sheep and a wee surprise will be among the many attractions at this week's University of Canterbury Student Association's Winter Wonderland Market.
Enjoying the UCSA's Winter Wonderland Market are (from left) four-year-old Brianna High, UCSA Events Team member Sas Rhodes, UCSA President Kohan McNab and UCSA Vice-President Rachael Linehan.
Kunekune pigs, shaggy sheep and a wee surprise will be among the many attractions at this week's University of Canterbury Student Association's Winter Wonderland Market.
Winter Wonderland Market was held for the first time on 4 May and will be held each Wednesday in the UCSA car park until 8 June.
UCSA Events Team member Sas Rhodes, who organised the event, said the response to last week's market had been very positive and it was great to see everyone - visitors and stallholders alike - enjoying Winter Wonderland.
"We thought it could be a bit of light relief and an aid to boost morale," she said.
Sas said Winter Wonderland, with its delectable treats, boutique finds and vintage styles, could not have come at a better time for the local community and the students, some saying it is the best thing they have heard about since the earthquake.
"A lot of the city's social areas are now gone, obviously leaving quite a large void in our city in regards to spaces and outlets for students and the local community to frequent. This is something we can do to help fill that void."
Some of the city's displaced stores have also been invited to have a site at the event.
"We're looking at boutique stalls, vintage clothing, a plethora of tasty morsels, and UC club workshops - we want to recreate a little bit of London's Portobello Road in the UCSA car park."
UCSA President Kohan McNab said the idea for the market came from the UCSA Student Executive, which wanted to not only fill a social gap created by the 22 February earthquake but to also give something back to the local community.
"It will bring more life into Ilam not only for the benefit of students but also the wider community."
Kohan said he hoped the market would continue to grow, with the UCSA's event management team having done a fantastic job of putting the market together so quickly. The aim was to carry the event on into the future.
The next Winter Wonderland Market will be held Wednesday 11 May from 10am to 2pm in the UCSA car park. A full list of stores and clubs taking part in this week's market can be found on the Winter Wonderland Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=198779570164032.
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