The 2018 season of the Stuart Farmers’ Market will officially kick off with opening day on Friday, May 4th, but soft openings are planned on Fridays, April 20 and April 27 when a handful of vendors plan to set up.
The market will operate on Tuesdays, from 3 to 6 p.m., June through September.
The Friday market will run May through November, ending the Friday before Thanksgiving. Friday markets open at 8 a.m.
New this year, vendors will remain at the Friday markets until 1 p.m. during the first six weeks of the season. The additional hour was requested several times through the years, and participating vendors decided to try it. Operating hours will be scaled back to noon if turnout is low.
A different event is planned for each Friday of the season, and a tool sharpener will return for tool and knife sharpening needs on the first Friday of every month. Tools can be sharpened while you shop for a fee set by the tool sharpener.
The library will be at the market on certain Fridays and the monthly series, “Farmers’ Market at the Library,” will continue.
Other weekly guests will include Reynolds Homestead, the Blue Ridge Nursing facility and Team Nurse, both offering free blood pressure checks; the Extension office, with cooking tips and pressure canner seal checks and the Rotary Club of Stuart will once again be on hand during the summer to discuss the categories for the Patrick County Agricultural Fair and to expedite check in by dispersing the identification tags.
Another new activity at the Farmers’ Market this season is a First Friday Music Series, produced by The New WHEO 1270 AM and One Family Productions. Start your weekend off right the first Fridays May, June, July and August with musical entertainment.
The Reynolds Homestead is partnering with the market to provide a free children’s craft every Friday, starting on June 22 and running through July 27. The craft activity will be held in the Creative Arts Center, located just below the market on Patrick Avenue. Times for the craft are 9 a.m. to noon.
The Reynolds Homestead will also be hosting a farm to table meal at the market on Thursday, June 14 in conjunction with their Bushel and Barrels Festival.
The Stuart Farmers’ Market once again will host the Mistletoe Market in December. This event has grown exponentially over the years. The market is open before the annual Christmas Parade and is one of the many events that participate in the Hometown Christmas Passport.
Stay up to date with all the special Friday guests by following the market on Facebook at Stuart Farmers’ Market, or in “The Enterprise” and other local media outlets.
