SHILLONG, Jan 21: Recycling, reusing, and generating as little waste as possible are the goals behind the evening market at the sublime Ward’s Lake. The market utilises the lake’s rear section to accommodate various entrepreneurs, ranging from food and bakery vendors to farmers, creators of homemade products, face painters, tattoo artists, wine proprietors, and indigenous tool makers.
To promote sustainability Ward’s Lake has undergone a transformation into a vibrant evening market, featuring a diverse array of entrepreneurs. The initiative, a brainchild of the tourism department, is being executed by Meghalayan Age and Dakti Crafts.
The evening market that commenced on Friday has seen around 150 walk-ins on Friday.
It is to hold ground in the lake until the end of March and the idea was born to repurpose stalls and décor items from the preceding Winter Tales festival, emphasising an eco-friendly approach.
Entrepreneurs vying for stalls submitted applications, allowing them to select their preferred weeks. Rita Gatphoh, founder of Dakti Crafts, explained to The Shillong Times the rotating weekly schedule, ensuring fairness for all participants. The market boasts a diverse range of offerings, from food, bakery, and farmers to homemade products, face painting, tattoo artistry, wine vendors, and indigenous tool makers.
The way to the market also showcases a range of pictures of prominent tourist locations sourced from the Tourism department.
Beyond the shopping experience, visitors can immerse themselves in a lively musical atmosphere provided by the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project or MGMP’s performers. Among them was a renowned reggae band, ‘Grassroots’, which delighted attendees on Saturday, creating a vibrant ambiance complemented by warm lighting that reflects off the lake, attracting selfie enthusiasts and photographers.
Rita Gatphoh expressed optimism about the market’s potential growth in the coming months, highlighting the importance of maintaining an intimate atmosphere. To address potential cleanliness concerns, she assured the presence of a dedicated team and strategically placed waste baskets throughout the venue.
As the word spreads, the organisers anticipate an increase in visitors, aiming to strike a balance between popularity and preserving the festival’s original intent.
The evening market at Ward’s Lake can be seen as a promising addition to the city’s social landscape, offering a delightful and eco-conscious experience for residents and tourists alike.
The evening market, open from 5 PM to 9 PM between Monday and Saturday, offers an affordable entrance fee of just 50 rupees. This initiative addresses the desire for a relaxed and pocket-friendly evening hangout, especially for those disappointed by the lake’s early closure. Gatphoh hinted at the possibility of relocating to a larger venue if the concept proves successful.
