Janesville Farmers Market kicks off Saturday
JANESVILLE — When the Janesville Farmers Market started five years ago, many doubted it would last.
"I can recall numerous people say that a farmers market wouldn't work in downtown Janesville," said Randy Thompson, a member of the steering committee at the time. "Over the course of the previous 30 years, farmers markets had come and gone, and they'd last a year or so and fade away."
Market manager Teri Huber admits even she had doubts.
"I was just a vendor the first year, and it was so tiny," she said.
But it gained momentum and vendors each year, and the Janesville Farmers Market will celebrate its fifth anniversary opening Saturday with about 30 vendors. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 100 and 200 blocks of North Main Street.
"The whole idea is to feature 'buy local,'" Thompson said. "With people staying closer to home this year, here's a great, inexpensive, fun activity that people can participate in as well as get quality, fresh, locally grown produce and other items."
What you'll find
Eats: Asparagus, rhubarb, onions, bakery items, meats, cheese, honey, eggs and kettle corn.
Plants and flowers: The Craig and Parker high school FFA students will sell plants they've been growing in the greenhouse this year.
Entertainment: A guitarist will kick off this year's market.
Mother's Day gifts: Vendors will have plenty of handmade jewelry, soap, lotion and other items for your last-minute gift.
Five new things
More vendors: At least five new vendors will join most of last year's vendors, Huber said. Most of the new vendors will sell produce and eggs. Two new vendors will sell hand-painted wine glasses and alpaca wool.
Cooking contests: An item will be chosen for market-goers to create a dish at home, then bring to the market to be sampled and judged by a panel.
Cooking demonstrations: Starting in July, area chefs and instructors from Blackhawk Technical College will give demos on how to cook with produce sold at the market.
Free activities: Especially for the kids, the market will offer special events throughout the season to mark its fifth anniversary. For example, May 23 is "wear a hat to the market" day. Special activities also are in the works for the Fourth of July and Halloween because both are a Saturday.
Coupons through ECHO: Huber has been working with the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin and ECHO to provide coupons from ECHO for those in need to spend at the farmers market. The coupons will be available for the June 6 market when a larger produce selection is ready.
A bonus: No floodwaters or carp on Main Street.
May 8, 2009 at 7:37 p.m.
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Many vendors work until dark on Friday night getting things picked. Load the truck up Saturday morning so everything is fresh. Some travel more than twenty miles to get to the market. Opening earlier is not practical. While selling veggies in Beloit I've had women complain that something was picked the night before, not that morning. What do they expect: pick a bean, rush to market with it, sell it, go back and pick another? Please be nice to the vendors and consider how much work goes into this before you complain. My back still hurts from setting out onions.
May 8, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.
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It's an enjoyable way to spend Saturday mornings and see friends from around town, even if a third of it is artsy crafty stuff. Hopefully if it continues to grow it will become a real farmer's market and less like a bazaar.
May 8, 2009 at 1:05 p.m.
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I think it should start at 5:00 a.m.
May 8, 2009 at 1:02 p.m.
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TOMATO................
May 8, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
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I'm excited for the season. My dad is has an organic farm in Beloit, so I get all the fresh goodies I want or need!! Yay for tomatoe season shortly!!
May 8, 2009 at 10:09 a.m.
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kuffer likes to sell where it is free. he's too cheap to pay a vendor fee.
May 8, 2009 at 9:11 a.m.
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I can't wait!! I'll be there and will enjoy kettle corn with a movie on Sat afternoon!! Fresh veggies YUM!!!! thanks Teri for all your hard work, keep it up!!!
May 8, 2009 at 8:33 a.m.
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I wish they had a fresh bread vendor like they do in Madison. I love going there and getting fresh hot cheese bread!
May 8, 2009 at 8:05 a.m.
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i love the looking glass brunch too...
May 8, 2009 at 7:40 a.m.
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Thanks for all your hard work Teri.
www.spend-local.com
May 7, 2009 at 8:22 p.m.
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I agree the farmer's market is great and I recommend everyone visit. The best time to go there is about 10:00 or 10:30... *AFTER* I have already been there and gotten what I need. :)
May 7, 2009 at 7:17 p.m.
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YEAHHHH!!!!
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I can't wait for fresh eggs, fresh veggies.... OH BOY OH BOY!!!!
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If you've never been there just go down and buy Saturday dinner for the grill. A great grass fed steak, fresh aspargus to grill, etc. etc. etc. Once you taste the difference I know you'll be hooked.
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Sashay Acres here I come!!!!!!!!!
May 7, 2009 at 4:57 p.m.
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YAY!!! I'll be there!!
May 7, 2009 at 4:53 p.m.
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Also available at the market on Saturday in time for Mother's Day gifting - plenty of knit and crocheted items such as hats, bags, socks, scarves, and for the first time, handmade wood knitting needles of various sizes and drop spindle spinning kits. Watch for the premiere of at least 3 new street performers sponsored by the United Arts Alliance, too, who will definitely add to that "festival" feeling. See you at the market!
May 7, 2009 at 4:36 p.m.
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Well, just like regular businesses, if you're open when only a few people would come by it may not be worth the effort. In fact as it is some vendors open late and leave early.
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I think it's great that they're developing a following and the expanded events should help. It really does have a very congenial, festival-like atmosphere. I don't remember previous farmer's markets, like on the river parking plaza, having that.
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