Oconee Farmers Market launches its 13th season on Saturday in front of the Courthouse in downtown Watkinsville.
Market Manager Cindy Pritchard is expecting between 20 and 25 vendors offering eggs, beef, honey, Spring greens, cakes, pies, breads, other baked goods, pasta, peanuts, roasted coffee, soaps and other farm items.
“We have almost a dozen new vendor applications for the season so far,” Pritchard said, “and are looking forward to even more as the Market and weather takes shape!”
To add to the atmosphere, Pritchard usually arranges for a musical performance at the Market. Joy Redmond will be playing guitar on Saturday.
The Market begins at 8 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. and will follow that same schedule until the final session of the season on the last Saturday in November.
Special Events
Each Saturday during the month will have a special theme.
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| From Market 2015 |
First Saturdays will be Sample Saturdays.
Second Saturdays will have a guided Saturday Stroll. Those interested will meet at the coffee table at 9 a.m. The April stroll will focus on Watkinsvilles history,
Third Saturdays will feature the Oconee County Library, offering a mobile card signup, book checkout and an activity.
Fourth Saturdays will feature a guest chef preparing food from the Market.
New T-Shirts And Bags
T-shirts and shopping bags with the new Market logo will be available this year.
Pritchard is asking for donations for the promotional gifts.
Pritchard and other members of the Market Board held a meeting with vendors last month.
“Market vendors and customers alike are ready for the Market to start,” Prithcard said. “We expect to have another successful season with a wide variety of local items available.”
The Market is open rain or shine.
Market Governance
The Market is a non-profit, with vendors paying 5 percent of their sales to support advertising and other Market activities.
Manager Pritchard handles day-to-day activities and such things as vendor location.
The Board of Directors is made up of volunteers. I am a customer representative on the Board.
The Market also has a fundraising dinner, called Fields of Promise, with proceeds going to support students in the county interested in agriculture.
That event will be held Aug. 13 at the Thomas Cotton Gin on SR 15 south of Watkinsville.
Oconee Farmers Market has a page on Facebook that provides details about the Market as the season progresses.
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| Coffee Is Free |
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