Every Saturday morning, come rain or shine, the outskirts of the small Garden Route town of Sedgefield comes alive as fruit and vegetable producers, bakers, artists, flower sellers and an assortment of other local craftsmen and producers converge.
Situated off the N2 national road between George and Knysna, Sedgefield is a quaint, sleepy seaside town that is a popular holiday destination of locals and tourists alike. The town has a country-style village atmosphere and is surrounded by regional farms, a fact that has resulted in the local residents forming the now very popular weekly market.
The market was started in 1999 by Rose Bretell and Susan Garner in the hopes of establishing a community building opportunity where locals could come together, support each other and sell their wares. Running for over 13 years, the popular market is open from 07h30 - 11h30 in summer and 08h00 - 11h30 in winter.
Located 1.5 kilometres outside of town at the Sedgefield Island turnoff, the well signposted market is found next to the Engen petrol station, opposite the Swartvlei lake-lagoon. Visitors can look forward to spending an enjoyable morning sampling, purchasing and enjoying the local homemade wares, lovingly produced free-range meats, dairy and cheeses and skilfully grown organic fruit and vegetables while mingling with the locals.
Positioned in the heart of the Cape Floral kingdom visitors can also purchase a colourful array of local plants and flowers such as Proteas and a variety of Fynbos.
Centred around the feeling of recreating the feeling of the 'good old times' in a country-style setting, the Wild Oats Market's success is attributed to its festive atmosphere and its ability to blend people from all cultures and backgrounds in a rainbow of personalities and products while still providing an essential and important platform for environmental and agricultural issues and community awareness.
Located about 1.5 kilometres west of Sedgefield town centre, at the Sedgefield Island turnoff (Engen Station). As the Scarab Craft Market and the Island Flea Market are situated on either side of the Engen Station, you must look for the green and white Wild Oats Market banner 200 metres to the right of the turning circle. Plentiful parking is available within the Wild Oats Market site. (Please do not park on the N2, police are ticketing!)
