Metropole Market’s Day of the Dead bursts into life

It may have been marking the Day of the Dead, but Lansdowne’s Metropole Market was bursting with life. Based on the traditional ‘Dia de Los Muertos’ Mexican celebration of the ancestors, the October Market, the last one of the year, once again proved to be a huge hit with market-goers. It attracted thousands of visitors, many in full costume and with macabre but eye-catching face paint.

It wasn’t only the public who entered into the ‘spirit’ of the occasion. Stallholders, local businesses, street entertainers and musicians joined in the fiesta fun with lavish decorations and extraordinary outfits. A highlight of the day was the Day of the Dead parade when the exotic and energetic ‘Skull Drummers’ led other musicians, street entertainers, dancers including children from First Position School of Dance, and market-goers in a lively and colourful procession along the length of Holdenhurst Road.

October’s Metropole Market had a distinctly Latin feel with delicious Mexican street-food and entertainment from the 6-piece Salsa band, Salsappeal. However, there was still room for a whole host of other unique and diverse products including vintage and festival clothing, arts and crafts, collectables such as retro comics, and a delicious selection of handmade foods from across the cultures. The 60-plus stalls were in addition to Lansdowne’s many independent businesses that play an integral and active part in creating the Metropole Market experience.

Lyn Turnbull, one of the main organisers and owner of the restaurant, Mexigo, said, “This year’s Day of the Dead market was just amazing. We had repeated the theme from last year as we’d had so many requests and, if anything, the response to this year’s event was even better. It was a wonderful end to our Metropole Market season but I’m very pleased to say, that we will be back in 2019. I’d just like to thank everyone, especially Bournemouth Town Centre BID, for supporting Metropole Market and helping to make it such a successful and enjoyable event.”

Metropole Market is funded by Bournemouth Town Centre BID and was introduced in 2017 as a way of encouraging more custom to the Lansdowne area of the town. The Day of the Dead themed market was the last of six events this year. Taking place on the last Sunday of the month since April, each one has had a different theme, such as Mardi Gras and Alice in Wonderland, each attracting thousands of visitors. In recognition of its success, Metropole Market has been shortlisted in the prestigious National BID Awards.