General News
23 October, 2025
Rainbow Market to bring music and colour
Rainbow will come alive again on Saturday, October 25, as the town hosts its second market of the year at the Oasis.
More than 40 stalls are booked, with exhibitors travelling from as far as Melbourne, Ouyen, Sea Lake, Woomelang, Warracknabeal, Nhill, Horsham, Murtoa, Dimboola and Beulah, alongside 13 from Rainbow itself.
Oasis Rainbow president Ben Gosling said preparations are shaping up for another great community event.
“There’s still over 40 stalls coming,” he said.
“It might change a little bit, but yeah, it should be over 40 on the day.”
While Mr Gosling won’t have a stall himself, he said Oasis will host a raffle to raise money for upkeep and ongoing events.
“The money will go to just general upkeep and running costs of the Oasis, paying the bills so we can keep the place going,” he said.
“We will play at the Open Mic Stage.”
A new highlight this year will be the Open Mic Stage, running alongside the market.
“We did one back in 2016 and it was really popular,” he said.
“It’s open to anyone, like you can sing, play music, tell a joke, or even do stand-up comedy.
“It’s predominantly musical, but if you want to tell a story or poem, you can.
“As long as it’s family-friendly, there’s no limit on what you can do.”
He said the format would be relaxed and inclusive.
“We’ll just write people’s names on a blackboard when they arrive and they can play when they like,” he said.
“It’s something different and gives people a chance to have a go.”
Mr Gosling said the open mic wasn’t about competition, but connection.
“We don’t get many chances to play music in Rainbow, as there’s nowhere really to play casually,” he said.
“So it’s a good chance to meet some new people who might play music, and maybe even get to play with someone new.”
He said seeing people fill the Oasis precinct always made the hard work worthwhile.
“As an organiser, the highlight is seeing people up at the Oasis,” he said.
“When you see crowds there using the site and visitors coming to town, that makes all the gardening and working bees worthwhile.”
The president encouraged everyone to drop by, even if they weren’t planning to shop.
“It’s a good social day,” she said.
“Once people have walked the market, they usually sit down and talk.
“You don’t have to buy a lot, you can just come down for a chat.”
He also praised long-time volunteers Les and Mary Graetz for their tireless efforts in running the event.
“They’re not official committee members, but they go above and beyond,” he said.
"They went all across the region and in different markets to promote the Rainbow one.
“They do it without being asked, without wanting thanks or recognition.
“The stallholders always say they get looked after so well in Rainbow and that’s why they keep coming back.”
Future Oasis events will include a community carols night in December, the Australia Day breakfast in January, and the Big Sky Festival early next year.