Main Street Batesville will host a weekly open market in the downtown pocket park on Saturdays beginning June 26. The market will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Vendors from Independence County and bordering communities are welcome to participate; there is no entry fee. Farmers and gardeners; artists and craftspeople; and cooks specializing in jams, jellies, baked goods, candies, and other homemade edibles are welcome to participate. Vendors should bring their own tables or booths. Vendors will need to fill out an informational form before unloading or setting up. Set-up begins at 7:00 a.m. Non-profits are also invited to sell concessions and share informational material.
Main Street executive director Paula Grimes sees enormous potential for the market, “We hope to make this a community gathering. As the market grows we plan to offer live music and other entertainment, activities for kids, food demonstrations, and things like flower arranging and drying herbs. The market will be a seasonal event and probably run through the end of October. ”
Bob Pest, marketing consultant for the project, also sees the market as a community wellness initiative. “Communities across the country are discovering the many health and economic benefits to using fresh, locally grown produce. The ‘field to table’ movement is transforming people’s lives, supporting local growers, and playing an important role in the battles against obesity, high cholesterol, and heart disease.”
For more information, contact Paula Grimes at 793-4632 or downtownbatesville@sbcglobal.net.
