by guest writer: Valiant Vetter
Even though the emphasis at Winnsboro Farmers’ Market is fresh, locally-produced food, we realize that people like to have some fun (and we do too!) so we hold several special events every season at our Market.
In case you missed it, Saturday April 25th was our first “Old McDonald had a Farm” day. Several vendors brought small livestock from their farms – goats, pigs, chickens, baby chicks, and rabbits were all available for the kids – and adults – to see and some even were pettable. Many photo opportunities were available and everybody had a good time – even the pigs! Since this event was well-received, we’re certain to do it again next year. The “Clarkesville Country Club” and some of our local musicians played dulcimers, guitar and harmonica for shoppers as well!
Saturday May 2, the Market worked with downtown merchants to make “Kentucky Derby Day” a Winnsboro event! From 9:00 ‘til 10:30, kids visiting the market were able to make and decorate their own stick horses that they paraded and competeed for a “Best Horse” prize and even entered in a race at 11:00 in the morning. Vendors at the market competed for a “Best Dressed” contest – mainly focusing on homemade hats and wild bow ties. After the market, the adults got their turn to parade their horses around downtown and compete in a race at 2:30pm. Ribbons and trophies were handed out to winners.
Performances and demonstrations will be taking place several times this season, with Lawson’s Karate once again demonstrating kid’s and adult’s prowess during a martial arts performance on June 6th. The Raiderettes performed for us in 2014 and we expect they will be appearing again this season. Cooking and craft demonstrations are also planned for this summer (Check our FaceBook page for the latest news!) July will bring a “Best Baked Pie Contest” that is open to shoppers and vendors alike. There will be a cash prize for the best pie!
As any vibrant organization is always growing and changing, the Market became year-round this past winter. A small but hardy group of our farmers set up on the patio of Art & Espresso to test to see whether Winnsboro residents would visit a market in winter. You did – so our market will go year-round again this winter and we expect our vendors to grow even more winter-hardy veggies to fill the demand. Something else that we’re trying for the first time this summer will be our “Monday Night Market in June”. Since produce is prolific at this time of year, we’ll be meeting on Market Street on Mondays AND Saturdays in June. The Monday Night Market will run from 5pm ‘til 8pm and will feature local music, food and even wine to provide some fun and activity while all the restaurants are closed on Mondays. It will also be a great opportunity for folks who have to work Saturday mornings (or just want to sleep in after a long work week) to come and see what the market has to offer.
Our new “Kid’s Corner” activities tent has been very popular, with things to do for young hands like planting seeds, drawing, learning about farming and foods, and just having fun. With so much to see and do at our market, it really is a family event that appeals to young and old! We plan to repeat our film festival as we hosted last season that the Civic Center (City Auditorium) with educational films about farming and food, popcorn, demonstrations and vendors. Watch our FaceBook page and this weekly column for the exact date.
We had some fun with a “Biggest Zucchini” contest during the 2013 season, se we’ve expanded on that idea and created a “Best Farmer” contest that will recognize the agricultural skills of anybody who would like to enter their giant vegetables. We’ll be awarding “fabulous prizes” for the largest cabbage, zucchini, cucumber, tomato, watermelon, and pumpkin throughout the growing season. Check our web site (WWW.WinnsborFarmersMarket.com) or the Manager’s Tent for information and specific dates for each contest.
Activity is already heating up this season even with the wild weather and rain we’ve been having so far this year. We’re expecting healthy crops of strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and blackberries coming up in the weeks to follow. Farmers are reporting good growth of corn and other summer veggies, so we expect activity at the Market to be increasing steadily over the next couple of weeks. As always, come early for the very best selection as many items are in limited supply and often sell out quickly. If you haven’t been to our Market yet this season – we hope you can make it to check out the fun – and the food!