Farmers' Market set to grow in second season

The Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market will showcase new hours, expanded vendor offerings and a bolstered lineup of local entertainers when it kicks off its second season May 1.

Organizers and vendors have been preparing for the new market season since last winter. Armed with a year’s worth of experience and customer feedback, Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market President Beverly Rollings said organizers made a few changes to improve the market for this year.

The twice-a-week, growers-only market will return to its location at the city parking lot on the 100 block of East Main Street, but the hours of operation will be adjusted slightly from a year ago. Saturday markets will open an hour later and stay open an hour longer, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Tuesdays, the market will open at 3 p.m. and run until 6 p.m.

“We had a lot of people, especially Saturdays, coming later in the day instead of early,” Rollings said.

The number of vendors also is expected to be slightly higher than last year, and those returning plan to boost their offerings, Rollings said. The core of 12 to 15 producers setting up shop throughout the market’s May-to-October run are expected to be joined by more than 10 seasonal vendors that will occasionally appear at the market.

“We are very pleased that we’re welcoming back nearly all vendors from last year, and they all plan to offer a wider variety of fruits and vegetables,” Rollings said.

Returning to the market will be the locally grown produce, baked goods, jams and jellies, soaps, potpourri and arts and crafts that were featured last year. Rollings said she also has received calls from some potential new vendors that may add sweet corn and tilapia to the market’s offerings.

The market will once again accept transactions from debit and EBT (or Electronic Benefit Transfer from the federal food stamp program) cards.

Organizers hope the improvements and chance for people to grow accustomed to shopping at the market will help achieve its goal of doubling its customers in the second season.

“Once people got there, they were delighted with what they found,” Rollings said. “It’s not just about food, it’s showcasing the best we have here in Pettis County.”

Along with additional food and goods available this year, organizers seek to enhance the social atmosphere at the market.

Children will have the chance to enjoy face painting, hop-scotch, arts and crafts and other activities at the returning “Little Sprouts” activity center, and live entertainment by local performance artists will keep folks entertained while they shop.

Local musician Bill Gordon volunteered to coordinate entertainment acts for the market’s upcoming season. He hopes to bring in a variety of live acts by reaching out to area schools, churches and music instructors.

He said those shopping at the farmers’ market said the live entertainment made it a more social event, and people tended to stay longer and make more frequent visits.

Gordon said playing at the public venue would offer budding musicians an opportunity to hone their skills and get some public exposure.

“What I am especially eager to do is give youngsters an opportunity to perform publicly,” he said.

He said some of the market’s regular performers — such as folk singer Mike Todd, blues guitarist Alan Weaver and Gordon himself — will make return appearances this year.

Gordon said he also is working to help the market bring in other types of local entertainers, whether it be humorists, artists or magicians.

“Whatever the entertainment might be, we’d like to give them a showcase to use their talents,” Gordon said.

He said anyone interested in performing at either the Saturday morning or Tuesday afternoon markets can contact him at 826-8669.