Main St. Farmers Market celebrates first season with pavilion
It was sunny Thursday at the Main Street Farmers Market during a celebration of the new pavilion roof, but it has already provided cover on several rainy market days.
Main Street Farmers Market board President Suzanne Ewing said the pavilion roof would not have been possible without private and public partnerships.
From left, Washington County Commission Chairman Larry Maggi, Washington Mayor Scott Putnam and Washington & Jefferson College President Tori Haring-Smith stand next to a cake donated by Chatty Cupcakes of Waynesburg to celebrate the first season for the Main Street Farmers Market pavilion.
Rain won’t be a concern for shoppers at the Main Street Farmers Market in downtown Washington any longer, thanks to the two pavilion roofs constructed over the South Main Street parking lot where the weekly event is held.
The $849,000 project, which was completed over the winter in time for the start of this year’s market, was celebrated Thursday by community leaders who saw it finally come to fruition in May – the first time overhead coverage from weather has been provided since the market started in 2004.
“This couldn’t have happened without the public-private partnerships that saw this through,” said farmers market board President Suzanne Ewing, crediting former mayors Sonny Spossey and Brenda Davis and current mayor Scott Putnam and members of city council.
The Washington County Redevelopment Authority and Range Resources, Ewing said, were instrumental players in helping secure funding so the market could go forward after receiving matching Local Share Account awards. Ewing also thanked the outgoing president of Washington & Jefferson College, Dr. Tori Haring-Smith, who she said help secure nearly a half-million dollars in funding.
“As Washington thrives, the college thrives. Together, we thrive,” Haring-Smith said.
Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi said the raised roof helps solidify the county seat as a destination in Southwestern Pennsylvania. “Downtown Washington is a place to be. It isn’t the concrete jungle that is Pittsburgh, and that’s part our rural, country charm – new restaurants and destinations are cropping up all the time, and this part of that progress,” Maggi said.
“This is a focal point of our downtown,” Putnam said, “and past mayors and council deserve the credit.”
A fundraising campaign to raise money to build the pavilion kicked off in late 2011 and finally reached its goal last year. The pavilion will also serve as the home of the Whiskey Rebellion Festival from July 7 to 10.
“My question and challenge to you is what’s next? It’s more than just a covering of the market,” said Washington County Tourism Director Jeff Kotula.
“It’s a symbol of continued development.” Ewing said the pavilion. While separate from the $17 million downtown streetscape initiative improvements completed in 2008, it is part of the ongoing effort to expand Washington as an attractive place to live, work and shop.