The Morinville Farmers’ Market is gearing up for a new, vibrant and expanded season.
After last year’s success, market manager Korien Sampson gets the ball rolling this week at a new location with extended hours.
Unlike last year when the market took place in the parish parking lot, the new location is at the Ray McDonald Sports Centre. The market runs every Friday from noon to 6 p.m. until September 27.
This spring after the Morinville Festival Society took on the promoter’s role from the Morinville Public Library, Sampson worked with them to find an appropriate location.
“The hockey arena is a better location. I have more room to accommodate vendors. I have more room to accommodate customers, and it’s still in the heart of downtown. All the tents are still visible from Main Street,” Sampson explains.
For the opening, 21 new and old vendors are expected to showcase their wares. Everything from honey, fudge, baking and perogies to photography, greenhouse plants, clothes and jewelry will be on site.
Produce unfortunately will be delayed due to the overly long winter. But by mid-summer, Sampson hopes to double the vendors with the arrival of vegetables, fruit, meat and eggs as well as wine, woodworking and garden accessories.
Since the Morinville Festival Society is handling the market, there will be a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday at 12:30 p.m.
This Friday is also designated as Champion Day. As Sampson explains it, Champion Day honours the Volunteer Appreciation Night recipients who tirelessly dedicate themselves to the town.
Champion volunteers – Tyler Dziwenka, Eva Scrimshaw, Joseph and Christopher Trapani, Paul Smith, Steven Dafoe, Stacey and Serge Froment, Diana and Bob Moquin – have received invitations to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony.
In a dual recognition, Champion Pet Foods also will make a cheque presentation for the festival society’s market start-up costs.
The market, in partnership with Morinville Community Gardens, has also invited 160 students from the Morinville Public Elementary School to attend a composting demonstration.
Sampson notes that both the market and the community gardens have aligned their goals.
“We both want people to eat locally. We both want people to eat fresh from the ground. Carrots grown locally around Morinville are so much tastier than carrots trucked in from California. We want people to go back to nature.”
But it’s all the summer extras that make the market an exciting destination to check out. A mini trade fair runs during St. Jean Baptiste Festival June 21 to June 23; a Street Performers Festival runs July 19; a County Fair launches August 17, and the much in-demand 3rd annual Chili Cook-off takes place September 13.
In 2012, Sampson placed 70 rotating vendors. This season the market can handle 100 easily.
“I always have room. If they make it, bake it, or grow it, I will love to have them come in. So many people have unique skills. You can have three jewelers and they are all unique. Even cabbage rolls are so different. People have different recipes and different ways of making things.”
DJ music and the Smith Music Summer Band will provide entertainment.
“I’m excited for this season. This one has an air about it. I just hope we don’t get rained on.”
