Farmers Market continues to thrive

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Market vendor John Goforth works in his booth breaking rattlesnake beans. This is the retired sailor’s first year to participate in the market and is very pleased with the results. (Margaret Hobbs photos)

With the last days of summer fast approaching and summer’s garden bounty waning, one might think a trip to the Farmers Market would be a waste of time. Not so, the market is thriving and still filled with summer’s bounty.

According to market director Mary Cantrell, business has been very good this season with 1,157 booth set-ups through the month of August. Even though some of the early summer vegetables are on their way out, such as squash, cucumbers and lettuce, the next phase is on its way in.

“We still have quite a few tomatoes, and the peas are beginning to starting to come in. The market will start filling up with fall items, apples, pumpkins, gourds and other fall crops; and the long awaited turnip greens. People love them!” said Cantrell. “Many of these farmers plant two and three gardens, so they will have items for a long while.”

Market officers are planing a big day for Oct. 1 with their Fall Apple Fest. The youngsters are invited to partake in fun activities and enter the Little Miss and Mister Pumpkin Pageant.

On that day, lots of activities are planned that will please visitors of all ages. There will be a apple dessert contest open to everyone, with the only rule to enter is the dish must contain apples. There is no entry fee, so all cooks are invited to bring their favorite apple dessert and vie for bragging rights. There will, of course, be lots of apples to purchase at the market.

Also on that day there will be a jam and jelly contest, also open to everyone, not just vendors. Cantrell assures the competition is stiff in that particular contest. “We have a lot of good cooks in Warren County, and they are proud of their product,” said Cantrell.

The market will perhaps be at its most appealing, as it will be filled with fall items. Colorful pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, mums and fall plants will be beautifully displayed. One can even purchase straw and corn stalks for their fall yard decorations.

The market is still open three times a week — Wednesday and Saturday from 6 a.m. till noon, and Friday from noon till 6 p.m. The last Wednesday market will be Nov. 23, Friday market will go through Oct. 28 and the last Saturday will be Dec. 17.

Market officers are Brent Bain, president; Gloria Whitaker, vice president and Carolyn Bickford, secretary/treasurer.