As the Hustle&Scout markets celebrate their first birthday this weekend, they will also be celebrating a change in location. For the first time, the event will be held not at New Acton, but in an aeroplane hangar in Fairburn.
The twilight markets have proved a much-loved attraction for Canberrans, gaining popularity with each seasonal instalment. So much so that Founder Tegan McAuley has recently announced plans to bring Hustle&Scout to Hobart in 2015.
“The prospect of expanding a Canberra brand to Hobart is a really exciting. Although the Hobart market will draw on designers from around the country, I want to ensure that Canberra’s design talent is well and truly showcased at the event. I think I can really show off our city’s creative culture to other parts of Australia in this sense”, she explains.
As the markets expand interstate, locally we will also be seeing some interesting developments with the change in location. The last Canberra market was held in July in New Acton, and was the biggest one to date. While this was cause for celebration for McAuley, it also meant that the venue was packed with stalls and shoppers, and parking became an issue for some. “I am grateful for having had the opportunity to launch Hustle&Scout to the Canberra community in New Acton, but the event is growing at a rate that the Nishi can no longer accommodate”, says McAuley. “I wanted to find a new venue with character, something rare with a raw aesthetic – this hangar is the best solution I could have asked for”.
The new venue, Hangar #47, was built in 1940 as part of the Royal Australian Air Force base, and remains one of The Canberra Airport’s most treasured historical structures. The space, which is over 3,000 square metres, still features original roof beaming, windows and bay lighting, but has been restored and maintained since the WWII period when it housed squadrons from the Netherlands East Indies Air Force. In 2007, the venue underwent a $5.5M redevelopment for use as the Australian Federal Police’s International Deployment Centre and air wing operations.
The new location will provide visitors with 2,000 free car parks, ATMs, a magnificent view of the runway and lots of aircraft activity.
A total of 53 designers and collectors will showcase at the market this Saturday, in addition to an exciting line-up of fresh music talent. Visitors can also expect to enjoy over 25 food and beverage stalls at The Forage food market, a roaming model performance, tiki bar and lounge, photo booth, and the AFL grand final will also be televised.
The newly opened Chop Shop is also throwing an after-party for Hustle&Scout to help celebrate their first birthday. It will kick off at 8pm on Saturday, with tunes by On & On Collective and $10 red cup cold pressed cocktails.
Date 27 September 2014
Where Hangar #47, 8-10 Point Cook Ave, Fairbairn
When 2-7 pm
More information www.hustleandscout.com.au | facebook.com/hustleandscout
