Sunday, February 16th, 2025

After a long winter, the Creemore Farmers’ Market will return this Saturday, May 19, and all will once again be right with the world.

That may be a slight exaggeration, we suppose, but it does kind of feel that way during that first stroll into the market on a sunny opening day. And this year, the 15-year-old institution is aiming to be bigger and better than ever, under the guidance of new president Sarah Hallett.

Hallett is replacing Jean Brownfield, who has led the market from the very beginning (along with co-founder Sandra Lackie, who left the board a few years ago to start the 100 Mile Store), and she’s a little concerned about following in such large footsteps.

“Jean did everything; I really don’t know how she managed,” said Hallett this week. “We’re really going to miss her.”

Not one to pass up a challenge, Hallett has been working hard over the off-season, and market-goers will notice a few changes on Saturday morning.

First off is the sheer number of vendors. While last year saw about 25 booths on average, Hallett has signed up 32, the maximum capacity, and has had to turn down an extra seven.

Among the new full-time vendors are three new vegetable producers, one certified organic and the other two operating in an organic manner; a meat and cheese operation; a jam-maker; a tea company; and a savoury baker.

Showing up on a part-time basis for the first time this year will be a gardener, a pie-maker, a furniture-maker, an “upcycled” clothing booth and a maker of cold-pressed oils.

In an effort to make the vendors more visible, they will all be wearing green aprons branded with the Creemore Farmers’ Market logo.

The marquee event this year will also work towards developing relationships between vendors and market-goers. Taking place on July 21, the event will be entitled “Sample the Market.” You might want to skip breakfast that day, as each booth will be offering samples of their wares.

“The plan is to encourage people to talk to the stall-holders,” said Hallett. “The more people know each other, the more people see the market as a community place.”

In general, the event schedule will be lighter this year, with more emphasis on the vendors and their goods. Curiosity House will still be partnering with the market, hosting book signings there, and the area around the fountain will still be designated for community organizations (there are seven signed up for this Saturday, including the Creemore BIA, which will have a booth there all summer, acting as a tourist information stop for those wishing to explore the village).

As is tradition, market-goers will still have the opportunity to take home a free plant on opening day, but this year, that honour will go to the first three customers at each booth.

For more information about the market, or to find out what fresh goods are available from its vendors on a week-to-week basis, people can now go to the new Farmers’ Market website, developed by Shane Durnford and found at www.creemorefarmersmarket.ca.

“All in all, it’s going to be a busy year, and hopefully we’ll see everyone out at the market,” said Hallett, who of course will also be offering her trademark delectable baked goods at her Roseberry Farm booth. Drop in and say hi, she’d love to have a chat with you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *