New Port Orange Markets Bring the Community Together

While there are some amazing farmer’s markets all around Volusia County that we have previously highlighted here in East Coast Current, I want to zoom in on a very specific corner of Port Orange that is turning into a community market hot spot.

Sunday at Halifax River

Back in February, local business owner Jabriel Budd launched the Halifax River Market every Sunday, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., in front of Tiki Docks restaurant (3633 S. Ridgewood Ave). I was there for the opening weekend, which brought a delicious variety of food trucks and a handful of local vendor tables. Through Budd’s creative marketing plan of adding a theme to most weekends, the market exploded in popularity over the summer to now host over 100 vendors.

Many of the market themes match the calendar of events, such as the flowers my mother-in-law and I received on Mother’s Day weekend. But I think the most creative theme I saw was “Pickle Fest” in July. Local businesses added a pickle twist to their food, drinks and gifts. I saw a pickle lemonade and even some pickle chip earrings!

For the guests that may not be as excited about shopping, a mechanical pickle was brought in for a riding tournament and a separate pickle eating contest ensued. The market is wonderful as-is, but I have to admit that I’m on the edge of my seat looking for the next theme, posted each week on social media as “Halifax River Farmers Market at Tiki Docks.”

Just a few steps to the south from this market takes you to Coastline Coffee Bar (3738 Halifax Dr.), which hosts events inside as “Coastline Coffee Events” and on its grounds as “The Riverwalk Social.” You can search those names on Facebook to see a varying schedule of events and Saturday markets. A reoccurring event, called “Yappy Hour,” connects coffee lovers with adoptable dogs from Sophie’s Circle Dog Rescue every 3 Thursday of the month, between 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

After-Hours Shopping

And the newest two markets, just next door to the north, inside the Riverside Pavilion event center (3431 S. Ridgewood Ave), are the Port Orange Night Market and the Port Orange Girls Night Out (GNO). Both events are hosted by Touch of Magic Events, under the creativity and direction of Melinda Perez. Larger cities and even Downtown DeLand have successful night markets, so Perez wanted to bring the same excitement to the east side of Volusia County.

The Night Market will be the 3rd Wednesday of each month, between 5 - 8 p.m, starting in September. GNO will be every 2nd Thursday of the month, between 6 - 9 p.m., starting in October. The full schedule of events can be found at TouchOfMagic.com.

These markets are a great way to connect our local community with small businesses that may not have their own brick and mortar home. They also make for fun places to wander on your own or with a group of friends. I hope you’ll make your way to the Riverwalk area of Port Orange to check out one or all of them.

Happy shopping!