Colourful crafts draw crowds to Beachside Markets

PICTURE-PERFECT weather and a record 200 stalls brought the crowds out for the annual Byron Bay Beachside Markets.

Thousands of people, young and old, wandered up and down the beachfront path enjoying the diverse range of stalls, entertainment and food.

This year's "make it, bake it, grow it" market stretched for a mammoth 500m and showcased an eclectic collection of art, sculpture, ceramics, glass, homewares, fashion, craft, toys and clothing created by artists and designers from around the Northern Rivers.

Market co-ordinator Tess Cullen said this year had been the first in which they had been forced to turn away stallholders, such was the popularity of the event, which was one of the region's biggest markets.

She said the requirement that the artist also run their own stall was a popular drawcard for the public.