Flock to the festival goat market

If you long for a taste of old-time Barossa, you’ll want to attend this year’s Vintage Festival event, the Ziegenmarkt, traditionally held in Goat Square on the corner of John and Maria Streets, Tanunda.

Thrilled to be bringing together the Ziegenmarkt for the first time, local resident, Julie Modistach has wonderful memories of the event, and has been attending since she was a child. 

The atmospheric market has become an iconic feature of the Festival calendar. 

Every two years, crowds flock to stand amazed and delighted at the fun and frivolity of the ‘goat market,’ to use its literal name. 

Julie says, “This year we are adding a few more producers and stall holders. We have also been inundated with generosity from people in the Barossa, so there’s an enormous quantity of produce, cakes, wine and other items for visitors to take home. 

There will even be a goat in the final auction!”

Plenty of activities and exhibits are planned to keep the children enthralled, including story-telling and petting animals, so Julie is hoping that parents will bring the whole family along to soak up the atmosphere of the bustling market scene.

Start the day with breakfast rolls, or yummy fare from Apex Bakery. Then get into the bidding, as attendees vie for produce, smallgoods, jams and preserves, flowers, wine or even noodles. 

From 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. on April 20, three live auctions will take place, so there will be plenty of opportunities to make that winning bid. 

Julie chuckles, “The local primary school will even be selling staff! There’s something for all ages.”

Proceeds from the auction will be channelled back into the Barossa Vintage Festival, ensuring a future for the Ziegenmarkt for many years to come.