Downtown Wooster Farmers Market opening soon
The Downtown Wooster Farmers Market offers something for everyone.
‘Tis the season — the season for farm-fresh produce and locally produced goods of all kinds. The Downtown Wooster Farmers Market will open Saturday, May 17 and run through Saturday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday.
Guinevere Steensen is the Main Street Wooster program manager and the Downtown Wooster Farmers Market manager. She described the magic of the market.
“It’s more than a market; it’s an experience,” she said. “Every Saturday (during the market) the Wooster Square comes alive with the vibrant energy of community, music and the freshest local goods around. The market brings an unmatched energy to kickstart the weekend.”
There is free, live music at every market in the pavilion from 9-11 a.m. Vendors offer a variety of produce, foods and products.
“(The market features) organic produce that’s picked the night before by the hands of the person that grew it within a 25-mile radius of Wooster,” Steensen said. “When we say local, we mean local. We also have honey, flowers, mushrooms, no-spray blueberries, free-range eggs, chicken, beef, pork, hot sauce, spices and teas, wine, kettle corn, popcorn, candy, bagels, sourdough, lots of sweet baked treats, dietary-restricted treats, handmade aprons, children’s clothes, paintings, jewelry, wood crafts, tie-dye, soaps and more.”
A group of local vendors started the market 28 years ago. Many of these same growers and makers are still part of the market today.
“These passionate growers and makers envisioned a space close to home where they could share their farm-fresh produce and handmade goods with the community,” Steensen said.
The purpose of the market went beyond selling, Steensen said. The founders set out to create something lasting.
“They brought their children along, teaching them the values of hard work, community and sustainability,” she said. “Today, many of those children have grown up and taken the reins, continuing the tradition by running their family booths.”
The market has grown from 12 vendors when it began to an expected 90 vendors by the end of this year’s season. Applications and guidelines for vendors are taken all year long. Links may be found on the market website.
There are numerous special events scheduled throughout the season including Christmas in July and the dog Halloween costume contest that takes place during the last market in October.
Main Street Wooster puts on the market with support from City of Wooster and lead sponsor E&H Ace Hardware Wooster, as well as supporting sponsors Wooster Color Point, Briggs & Starr Wealth Management and Farmers State Bank.
Photos from all the vendors are always posted on Facebook the morning of the market and are the best way to see what’s available. Find the market online at www.mainstreetwooster.org/farmers-market and www.facebook.com/DowntownWoosterFarmersMarket.
“(The Downtown Wooster Farmers Market) creates community and gives people a place to gather and greet each other,” Steensen said. “Meeting up with coffees in hand, walking the dog, gathering goodies for the weekend, it’s life when things slow down and people look up from their screens to connect. I’m not a doctor, but good food equals good health in my book and is cheaper in the long run. Sunshine and smiling amongst friends is pretty good for your health too. The market has all of that. Come give it a visit.”