By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The music will play on at the Bowling Green Farmers Market when it opens for the season Wednesday, May 11, and more shoppers will be able to hear it.
The market is held Wednesdays through Oct. 19 from 4-7 p.m. in the Huntington parking lot on the southeast corner or South Main and Clough in downtown Bowling Green.
This summer the stage will be moved several spots west so it will be more centrally located, and between the stage and the west entrance will be a new seating area, so people can more comfortably enjoy the music and their food and drinks from the food trucks.
The market’s purchase of a large picnic table as well as smaller tables and chairs and benches was made possible by a grant from the Bowling Green Community Foundation, said Lori Hines, the farmers market manager for Work Leads to Independence. This is the third year that Work Leads to Independence will be operating the market.
The first year the market was stymied by the pandemic. “We still had it, but it was completely different,” Hines said.
Last year was back to normal. This year Hines is finetuning the operation.
The new patio area and the relocation of the music is a big change. The area also has a new sponsor Panda Technologies. Tim Concannon is continuing to book the acts.
This week will feature musicians from the Black Swamp Fine Arts School.
Hines said she’s also trying to increase the activity in the children’s area. For the first couple markets Wine & Canvas will be on hand, so visitors can create their own small paintings. Despite the name no wine will be served at the market, Hines noted.
She’s lined up someone to do face painting and will work with Future Farmers of America clubs, the city Parks and Recreation Department, Northwestern Water and Sewer District, and the police and fire divisions to provide activities. She still has a couple weeks open.
“Most of the time there’s something for the kids,” she said. “I’d like to have them involved more with the market and be involved with the community and adults so they can see how the market runs, and the value of it and what it does for them. Maybe even learn how to eat a little better.”
This year, she said, all the major produce vendors will be accepting vouchers from the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
In previous years, Hines said, some did not. But the demand was such that all are now participating, that includes Clay Hill, Riehm Produce Farm, and Stevens Gardens.
Other vendors committed to every market are: Bella Cuisine; Angry Irishman (mustards and sauces); Gary’s Kettle Corn; Dirty Feet Gardens; Sobee Honey; Joseph’s Greenhouse; M & J Craft Baking; Andersons; Great Lakes Custom Sharpening; and Work Leads to Independence.
Other vendors will participate every second week, or when their produce is ripe: Z Farms (mushrooms); Sugar Milk Gluten Free Bakery; Les Is More 894; Black Swamp Hollow Farms; 7th Heaven; Creek Valley Farms; and Windy Hill Berries.
Vendors are still in the process of applying, Hines said. Many of these are “newbies” who will be offering artisan craft items. She expects 18 to 24 vendors each week.
She noted that last year there was a dearth of beverage options. So she has arranged to have Snowie Summers on site every week selling fresh squeezed lemonade and shaved ice. Grumpy’s, Manny’s Munchies, and Deets Barbecue will also be there every week.
Other vendors will rotate. Lyle’s Crepes will be on hand Wednesday.
Besides Panda, other sponsors are: Danberry Realtors; Newlove Realty Inc.; The Andersons; Huntington Banks; Hartung Brothers Inc.; First Insurance Group; Almar Property Management; and The Copy Shop.
