Small business owners and entrepreneurs turned out in force for the grand opening of the Somerset Vendor Market held at the Somerset Cricket Club last weekend.

The all-day event marked the start of the seasonal market that will be located on the field every Saturday from now until December 31, 2010.

The market provided an opportunity for West End businessmen and vendors with peddlars' licences to interact with residents and the community at large in a family setting to enjoy food, fun and local entertainment.

More than 20 vendors took part in the event, with products ranging from pet supplies, children's clothing and shoes, hand-made hats and scarves to jewellery, fresh produce, homemade barbeque, baked goods and ice cream.

A line up of activities were put on for families throughout the day, including music selections from DJ Blacka, a fun castle by All for 4 Party Rentals, face painting by Scribbles Body Art, a salsa dance performance by Sea Breeze Salsa, a drum line performance by Sandy's Secondary Middle School, majorettes, Devonshire All Star Twirlers, massages by Zita Bean of Vital Body Kneads and a performance by the Warwick Gombey Troupe.

Finance Minister Paula Cox was on hand to officially launch the market with a ribbon cutting ceremony, alongside Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation (BSBDC) chairman of the board, Larry Mussenden, and board member and Economic Empowerment Zones Agency committee chairman, George Scott.

"The grand opening was a wonderful, feel-good event and it was great to see family participation," said Minister Cox. "It bodes well for the people of Bermuda when we continue to raise the bar and put the people first."

One attendee remarked that the event "was more like a carnival" than a vendor market. Others took advantage of the competitive prices and product offerings to buy their Mother's Day gifts.

Roxanne Christopher, BSBDC business development officer and project manager for the Free Market Vendor (FMV) sites, said: "The Somerset Vendor Market is a wonderful opportunity for us to give small business owners a chance to sell their wares in a community environment. The BSBDC Vendor Markets showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of Bermudians in its truest form."

Spearheaded by Minsiter Cox since its inception, the FMV initiative has been carried out by the BSBDC in accordance with the 2005 Throne Speech. Following the success of the first FMV site, The Rubber Tree Market in Warwick, the BSBDC will continue to identify suitable locations across the Island for other FMV sites.