The Levin Medieval Market is celebrating its 30th market.
The Levin Medieval Market is celebrating its 30th market.
Anna Harris has always been a keen event organiser - so when a friend suggested she get involved with the Levin Medieval Market in 2020 she jumped at the opportunity.
While it’s now known as the Levin Medieval Market, it began life in Manakua back in 1995. Back then it was a fundraiser event for a local daycare, but over the years it grew in popularity, said Harris.
“The market grew as more people became interested in supporting it - more medieval re-enactors, stalls and people came, and with that more traffic, blocking State Highway 1.”
With the traffic becoming an issue, in 2007 the market moved to the Levin Showgrounds, and it has kept growing from there ever since, said Harris.
“Last year we estimated more than 6000 people came through the gates.“
For the 2025 event, where the market will be celebrating 30 years, Harris said she’s expecting more than 220 stallholders.
There's lots on offer at the Medieval Market.
There will also be musical acts, maypole and Morris dancers, dozens of knights performing reenactments, and games and activities for all ages, such as shoot the knight with a bow and arrow, water stocks, and shield painting.
Harris said the Medieval Market, a registered charity, is all about community.
“We want to put on a great event for the Horowhenua community. We aim to keep the event entry price as low as possible so families can enjoy a day out.”
She said they pay local community groups and clubs to help make the day a success, with the Levin Fire Brigade helping with set-up and pack down, the Phoenix TaekwonDo helping with cleaning, Levin Basketball helping with providing the stallholders with morning tea, and Levin Cycling Club and Skills4Living helping with the gates.
The profits from the event go straight back to the community through grants.
“My favourite part is the atmosphere on market day. You see hundreds of children with huge smiles as they carry around their own painted shield masterpieces, people of all ages dressing up in medieval-inspired costumes - and strangers complimenting each other on their effort.
“Celebrating 30 years of the Medieval Market is going to be such an honour, and as always a lot of fun. I really hope that it can keep going to reach 50 years and beyond. It just has to withstand the current economic climate, and to do that we need the community to keep attending.”
The Details
What: Levin Medieval Market
Where: Levin Showgrounds
When: Saturday, February 8, 9am to 4pm
Tickets: Adults $5, children $2, preschoolers free
