Farmers market ending another successful season
Every Thursday in Washington from 3 to 6 p.m., an empty parking lot transforms into the Main Street Farmers Market. Dozens of people sift through crates of zucchini and squash to find the perfect pick, while others stop to listen to live guitarists strumming away at a classic rock hit.
The smell of barbecued ribs lingers at one end of the market, while empty-bellied shoppers queue up at the other end for a taste of Greek gyros and baklava.
Today is the last day of the season to catch these sights, smells and sounds at the market, but plans for next year are already under way. Lee Stivers, vice president of the board that oversees the market, said they are hoping for big news this winter that will enable them to construct a pavilion to shelter the market from rain and wind next year.
“We are still plugging away at raising the roof,” Stivers said.
She couldn’t elaborate on what the positive news might be, but said fundraising efforts are still in full swing. The board raised more than $375,000 for the $850,000 pavilion project.
Overall, she said the market this year was a success. It attracted a steady stream of loyal customers and, aside from a few windy days, the weather was favorable.
“In past years, you could almost set your clock to having it rain on Thursday afternoons,” Stivers said. “We didn’t have quite the same issues with rain this year.”
But, she added, “It all gets back to the need to have that market in a more permanent structure with better coverage.”
More Washington & Jefferson College students attended the farmers market this year because of special events and vouchers provided to students. Participation at the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits booth also was high this year, and vendors continue to accept senior vouchers, and Women, Infants and Children and Community Circle Food Pantry tokens.
For the second year in a row, nutritional programs and cooking demonstrations were offered, and the board plans to continue those.
“The farmers market is really very well-valued by our community,” Stivers said. “Everybody loves the farmer’s market.”