ORGANISERS of the Suva ROC Market were thrilled with the large and unexpected turnout yesterday despite the rainy weather.

Event organiser Peter Sipeli says he did not expect to have such a great turnout because of the continuous downpour throughout the week.

Mr Sipeli said he had a few doubts because of the weather but was really amazed at the turnout despite some vendors cancelling their arrangements.

“I have probably around 55 vendors here today we usually have around 80 but it has been an amazing market,” Mr Sipeli said.

“We try to present things that are not available here in Suva especially food because people come to the market to get food that they can’t get here in Suva,” he said.

One of the big drawcards of the market, he said was the Cycling Fiji bike sale where all the bikes were sold for not more than $200.

Cycling Fiji secretary Leena Pratt said they had 16 second-hand bikes to sell with the most expensive sold at $200 and they had a drawcard system for situations where they had more than one interested buyer for one particular bike.

Ms Pratt said she was overwhelmed with people’s response and she urged members of the public to participate more in health-oriented organisations because it promoted healthy living.

She said they also intended to create more public awareness of the activities of their organisation and how people could be registered with them.

The next ROC Market will be held on May 15.