Area residents who have missed fresh produce from local farmers markets should get their goody bags ready because market season has arrived.
Farmers markets kick off the season on both ends of Bryan County this week with numerous activities, live entertainment, local and regional vendors and more.
The Richmond Hill Farmer’s Market will open Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. under the pavilion in J.F. Gregory Park. According to market manager Angus McLeod, more than 30 vendors from Glennville, Beaufort, Statesboro and eleswhere will set up shop.
“There is a lot of excitement in the air about our farmer’s market returning to J.F. Gregory Park if the number of phone calls I have received are any indication,” McLeod said.
In Pembroke, the Whistlestop Farmer’s Market is April 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown and will feature more than 15 vendors. The market will be held in conjunction with a city-wide Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Sharroll Fanslau, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said she hopes to see lots of families at the event.
“We’re really trying to surround our downtown with family events and make sure (residents) know we support the community,” she said. “Each market (this season) will have some type of activity for children and most markets will have some type of theme.”
In addition to the Easter egg hunt, bounce houses for children, activities and prizes will also be available. Fanslau said Easter photographs will also be available with live bunnies.
Fanslau expects more than 15 vendors to set up shop in the downtown area offering up fresh produce, flowering plants, jewelry, baked goods, woodworking crafts and much more.
Markets in Pembroke will be slightly different this year, she added. Instead of weekly, the market will be held once a month.
“With us spacing out the market it seems to be of more interest this year to the community so we’re looking forward to providing great services for everyone,” she said.
Fanslau said interested vendors can contact her for booth space at the market by calling City Hall at 653-4413.
For more information on the Whistlestop Farmer’s Market, visit www.facebook.com/PembrokeDDA. For more information on the Richmond Hill Farmer’s Market, visit www.facebook.com/RichmondHillFarmersMarket.