For four days, from Friday August 15, the town centre will be filled with more than 300 market stalls as traders arrive in the town to sell products from all over the world.
In Blackwellgate there will be a Continental Market cheese and biscuits from Holland, Bratwurst hot dogs from Germany, a beer garden from Poland, cheese and bread from France, clothing and crafts from Finland, paella from Spain and olives, fruits and nuts from Turkey
In Northgate, there will be the Staffordshire Pot Fair, selling ceramics and china from the famous pottery region.
On High Row, there will be a green and ethically traded market, selling produce and crafts from around the world, including garden ornaments from Thailand, crafts from South Africa, furnishings from the Philippines as well as teas from China and India.
On Tubwell Row and West Row there will be a mixture of general market stalls, a craft fair and Farmers’ Market, selling locally produced goods.
In Bondgate there will be children’s rides.
Other features throughout the event include:
• Friday August 15, 11am to 3pm, Tea Dance in the Market Square
• Saturday August 16, fairground rides in the Market Square
• Sunday August 17, 1pm to 6pm Culture Xplosion music event, featuring hip hop, bangra, indie and pop bands in the Market Square
• Sunday August 17, vintage car display in Grange Road
• Sunday August 17, garden festival in Skinnergate, as well as face painters and balloon modellers
• Monday August 18, charities day in the Market Square.
Throughout all four days there will be a range of entertainment taking place at the Market Cross and Joseph Pease Place.
Alpha Radio will also be running a ‘Music in the Market’ event, showcasing local musicians at the Market Cross each day.
There will also be a vintage bus, and the bus used in the hit BBC TV series Heartbeat, on display in the town.
John Williams, Darlington Council Leader, said: “There are just a few days to go to the start of the Summer Market Spectacular, so we’re putting the finishing touches to our preparations ready for the market traders to come into town on Friday and set up their stalls.
“It’s going to be a really great event – the town will be buzzing.”
Picture: Albert Nowicki, Markets Officer with Indoor Market trader Sally Nattrass and Council Leader John Williams.
