BERLIN – Following a successful summer season the Berlin Farmers Market has been extended through the end of October.
Town officials announced this month that the farmers market, which was launched in June, will be extended through Oct. 29. Though the market was meant to be a summer event, it proved popular enough that the town has agreed to keep it going into fall.
“Visitors and farmers kept asking me if I’d consider extending it,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic development director. “The demand was there.”
Wells said vendors at the producers-only market would continue to have a variety of vegetables and breads and other products through the end of October. She says the market will not go later than that, however, because the farmers won’t have enough to sell.
“I didn’t want to have a farmers market if there’s nothing there,” she said.
Wells said she was particularly pleased with the 15-20 farmers who regularly sell their wares at the Sunday morning market. She said she was careful to focus on quality rather than quantity when she approved vendor applications.
“I was more concerned with quality than how many vendors we had,” she said. “I wanted to make sure they had their own local produce.”
The market will continue on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. The final market of the season on Oct. 29 will feature entertainment by Ted and Susie’s Pickin’ and Grinnin’ Show and fun and games for children, who are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.
Wells said she was thrilled with how well the market had turned out in its first year. She does, however, already have some changes planned for next year. The market will not leave Artisans Green but Wells plans to arrange the space to provide vendors with more room.
“A lot wanted to sell directly from their vehicle so I’m going to allot more space,” she said.
She will also be adding incentives for frequent shoppers, the majority of whom are local residents. In addition, vendors want to host a weekly cooking demonstration at the market.
Wells credits the community support for this year’s market a success.
“I just want to thank everyone for supporting it this year and hope to continue to see everyone through October,” Wells said.
