BERLIN – The New Year is expected to bring a number of new additions to the Ocean Pines Farmers Market.
Changes for 2015 include the creation of the Friends of the Ocean Pines Farmers Market group, designed to coordinate volunteer efforts, as well as a new bazaar section to feature antiques and the like.
While the bazaar segment is still being organized, Market Manager David Bean has already signed up a number of people for Friends of the Ocean Pines Farmers Market.
“We just rolled that out,” he said. “It gets people that are interested but aren’t necessarily vendors a way to be involved.”
Bean said that as the market has grown since its inception four years ago, vendors have increased and attendance has risen. To help with that, Friends of the Ocean Pines Farmers Market will recruit volunteers to act as greeters, answer questions and even help vendors setup and take down their displays each Saturday.
“It’s a way to be involved,” Bean said. “It gives you a chance to rub elbows with a farmer.”
Through the winter, Bean says the market has about 23 regular vendors, selling everything from produce to popcorn. In spite of the cold weather, a stream of visitors goes through the White Horse Park market each Saturday morning.
“We have really good foot traffic,” Bean said.
In preparation for the summer market, which nearly doubles in size, Bean is accepting applications from new vendors. In addition to the usual farmers with their fruits and vegetables, Bean is hoping to add a variety of artisan and antique vendors this year. While the market already has a soap seller and a jewelry maker, he’d like to expand it to include additional crafters and artists. The bazaar section will contain merchants selling antiques or collectible items.
“We have 44 acres to work with,” he said.
Bean says he often hears from customers who want to see a variety of items for sale when they attend the market.
“They like to be able to walk around and look at the goods,” he said. “They like the mix of the different things that are out there.”
To further keep them entertained, the market will continue the program of special events started in 2014. Local cooking enthusiasts will show off their skills with the “Chef@Market” program, while crafters will host “Meet Me at the Market” educational series.
Beginning in March, the “Kids Market Zone” craft-making hosted by Holy Trinity Cathedral will also return to White Horse Park.
Bean said the community corner tent, which provides area civic groups and non-profit organizations with the chance to have a presence at the market, would again be offered in 2015. Through it, at no cost, groups are able to host fundraisers or demonstrations. Last year, local humane societies and school organizations used the program to generate interest in their causes.
“We offer it as a community service to give back,” Bean said.
To reserve the space, contact Bean at 410-251-6383 or [email protected]. The Ocean Pines Farmers Market is held each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in White Horse Park in Ocean Pines.