Organisers of Edgecumbe’s fifth annual Christmas Night Market are calling on businesses and community members to help keep some much-loved Christmas activities going this year.

The Riverslea Mall Christmas Night Market will return from 4.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday, December 4, at Riverslea Mall, 7 Bridge Street, Edgecumbe. Entry is free. More than 30 market stalls, food trucks, Christmas shopping and family entertainment are planned for the evening.

Organiser Chris Ford is seeking support to make two popular attractions, Santa’s Letterbox and Jingle Bears, possible.

Rising costs associated with postage, printing and other expenses mean the activities cannot go ahead in their usual format without additional backing.

“We are unable to host Santa’s Letterbox or Jingle Bears without sponsors this year,” Ford said.

Jingle Bears invites children to get creative by dressing up a teddy bear using items they already have at home, before bringing it along to the market to be judged.

The activity has grown in popularity, with more than 20 bears entered last year.

Ford said financial support was being sought to cover prizes for the children, with the sponsoring business to have its name included in the competition title when promoted.

Santa’s Letterbox also proved popular, with more than 85 letters sent out last year.

Children can drop their letters to Santa into a special mailbox at the event, with a reply from Santa then posted to their home address.

A sponsor is being sought to help cover printing and postage costs, so children can receive a reply from Santa in their own letterbox.

Ford said it would be a shame to lose the activities, which had become part of the market’s family friendly appeal.

The market itself has continued to grow since it began five years ago, with the inspiration coming from old photographs of Riverslea Mall in the 1980s, showing a huge Christmas tree, a busy mall and families coming together.

“I’d love to keep building on that spirit, giving today’s families opportunities to come together and make their own Christmas memories,” Ford said.

This year’s market will feature a variety of local and handmade products, including plants, pottery, jewellery, clothing, candles, artwork, skincare and gifts.

Food trucks will offer a variety of options, including Korean fried chicken, Filipino fusion, pāua dishes, loaded fries, doughnuts and ice creams.

Riverslea Mall shops will also be open for Christmas shopping.

Family entertainment will include Santa and family photographs through Waiwhakaata Photography, Santa Paws pet photos with Canine & Co, Candy Lane, where children can sell things they have made and run their own stalls, giving them the opportunity to talk with customers and learn about running a small business, face painting and free activities in the kids’ zone, supported by Wade Builders.

Colin Magee and LJ Dobbin will MC the event, while Riverslea Mall Lucky Bucks vouchers will also be given away in the lead-up and on the night. Winners can spend their vouchers during the market at participating stalls, food trucks and mall shops.

Musicians interested in performing on the night are also invited to get in touch.

Ford hopes the market will attract families from throughout the Eastern Bay, encouraging people to spend an evening in Edgecumbe and discover the businesses and community offerings at Riverslea Mall.

Food truck spaces are now fully booked, while market stall registrations remain open until all spaces are filled. Stallholders can find registration links on the Chris Ford Events Facebook page or at chrisfordevents.nz.

Businesses or community members interested in supporting Santa’s Letterbox or Jingle Bears, or musicians wanting to perform, are encouraged to contact Chris Ford Events at [email protected].