Downtown Wooster Farmers Market set to return bigger than ever
Organic plants like these from Green Patch Garden Organics are a small sample of what the Downtown Wooster Farmers Market has to offer. The market will open May 18 and run every Saturday through Oct. 5 in and around the square.
As spring turns to summer, it’s time to once again plan to spend Saturday mornings enjoying the Downtown Wooster Farmers Market. Every Saturday from May 18 through Oct. 5, fresh and locally produced, grown and created food and goods will be for sale at the long-standing outdoor event.
Twenty-seven years ago, several area farmers and home product producers began the market in a parking lot with a dozen vendors in order to sell their goods close to home. Some of those vendors are still at the market today. Others still have booths that are now run by the children they used to bring with them in the early days. From those beginnings the weekly event has grown to the over 80 vendors expected in 2024.
“You can’t find fresher produce unless you pick it yourself,” market manager Guinevere Steensen said.
In addition to produce, this year’s market is expected to include an array of edibles and artisan wares including meat, eggs, fruit, breads, bagels, sugar-free and gluten-free items, teas, spices, jams, jellies, popcorn, honey, hot sauce, soaps, wine, skin care products, lavender items, dog food, and handmade artisan goods. The market is hoping to add area-produced cheeses this year as well. In addition, there will be weekly wine tastings.
Live music provided by a variety of area musicians and musical groups will add to the event from 9-11 a.m. Some weeks there will also be additional entertainment such as dancers and even a visit from Santa for Christmas in July. A complete list of the entertainment schedule is available online.
Rather than have a vendor selling coffee, market shoppers are encouraged to patronize one of the many downtown coffee and tea shops, all within a block or two of the market.
The market primarily brings in vendors from a 25-mile radius, which includes Orrville and Holmes County. With no farmers markets in those areas, individuals and families come from all over to shop for locally produced foods and other items.
Vendors are always welcome to apply for a spot at the market. While the deadline has passed for full- and half-season discounts, applications for weekly spots remain available starting at $30 per week. No reselling is allowed. Apply online at www.mainstreetwooster.org/farmers-market.
Free, non-selling, informational booths are available to Main Street Wooster partners as space allows. Partners also have the opportunity to showcase entertainment or educational opportunities at the market between 11a.m.-noon. Fundraising is prohibited at the market.
Find the farmers market every Saturday from May 18 through Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to noon in downtown Wooster, on the square and on North Market Street between Liberty Street and North Street. The market takes place rain or shine. In the case of extreme emergency or weather events, announcements will be posted on Main Street Wooster social media.
Find the market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DowntownWoosterFarmersMarket. For questions or information, email or call market manager Steensen at Guinevere@mainstreetwooster.org or 330-262-6222.
The third annual Downtown Wooster Farmers Market Dog Halloween Costume Contest will take place on the last market date of the season, Oct. 5. Participating dogs will be photographed at Daisy Dog Barkery’s booth with online voting for the title of champion and a $75 gift basket of dog goodies.
Main Street Wooster puts on the market with the support of the City of Wooster and lead sponsor E&H Ace Hardware. Supporting sponsors include Wooster Color Point, Briggs & Starr Wealth Management and Farmers State Bank.
The City of Wooster also runs a Thursday farmers market at the community center. “Other locations are trying to start new markets,” said Steensen. “More opportunities to support local farmers, small-businesses and artisans is always a good thing in my book.”
With the variety of vendors, the music and the visitors from all over the area, the farmers market offers something for everyone. Steensen said, “It’s an experience. There is something fun to shop for everyone. It’s a great way to start the weekend with your family.”
Downtown Wooster Farmers’ Market 2024 vendors:
Producers: Green Patch Garden Organics; Weaver Truck Patch; Autumn Harvest Farms Produce; Boii Gardens; Eve’s Pharmacy; Harvest Hills Skin Care; Alexanderbees; Marigold Patisserie LLC; Wootown Bagels; Keto Signature Confections; Ol Dirty Sheets Hot Sauce; Lorri’s Bees; Sunflower Hill; Planet Blueberry; One Man Gardening; Four Oaks Farmstead; Daisy Dog Barkery; Adonai Acres; Broken Arrow Cattle; Petals Flower Farm; Kingery Organics; Rising Joy Bakery/Morning Glory Harvest; Secrest Master Gardeners; Rodney Ulom pumpkins/mums; Daisy Pastel Sweets; Blue House Blooms; E’s Trees; Seth Zickefoose – mushrooms; Chloe Beckett – sourdough; Cabin Cakes by Abby; 330 Alchemy; Backwoods Bakery; Pop Pop Pass; Corn; Sunbow 57 Girls; Wirth the Wait Baking Co.; Muddy Meadows LLC; New World Spice and Tea Traders; Three Lions Bakery; Pastured Dreams Produce LLC; Swiss Meadows Dairy.
Wineries: Troutman Vineyards & Winery; Lincoln Way Vineyards; Ugly Bunny
Artisans: Tangen Textiles; Honey Bee Loved; Bee Abundant Now, Melissa Csepel; Alexa Michael Art; Hamilton Woodcrafting; Doobs Danners; Tiasart; Wind+Peace; Tyler’s Custom Wood Works LLC; Rising Moon Creations/Crochet Box; Crystal Lake Creatives;
Carol’s Crafting Coop; Graceful Threads; Brick and Velvet; Candles.