Organizers Revamp Centerton Farmers Market

— Centerton Farmers Market organizers hope for a successful year with a new location and more promotion.

The market opens April 5 and will run through Oct. 25 at the intersection of Arkansas 102 and Sienna Drive.

AT A GLANCE

Farmers Markets

Local farmers markets will soon open for the season. Here are the times, dates and locations of some:

• Centerton: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays from April 5 to Oct. 25 at the intersection of Arkansas 102 and Sienna Drive

• Bentonville: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays from April 26 to Oct. 25 on the downtown square

• Rogers: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays from April 26 through November on the corner of First and Walnut streets

• Springdale: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May 3 to Nov. 1 at the intersection of East Emma Avenue and Arkansas 265 near the Jones Center

• Fayetteville: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays starting April 5 around the square

Source: Staff Report

Various organizers have tried to start a farmers market in the city for the past few years, but the location, lack of promotion and lack of vendor participation kept it from being more successful, said Angela Ritch, market manager.

The market used to be in the park next to City Hall. With only a couple vendors it looked like it could have been something else, like a family get-together, Ritch said.

"People weren't sure what it was," she said.

The new location will be just east of Sonic. It will be clearly marked with signs identifying the market, and it will be visible to motorists on the highway, Ritch said.

"It's a nice, quaint little area for that, and we can put a lot of vendors there," she said.

Vendor participation also is up this year. There are eight vendors, and market organizers would love to see more.

The setup fee is $10 for each market day vendors participate. Vendors aren't charged a portion of their sales, Ritch said.

"It's probably going to be the best deal around," she said. "We just want to grow this market and provide a farmers market in Centerton for the residents."

Ritch also is working to get musicians to play during market hours and others to conduct educational demonstrations.

Linda Robinett, a vendor, said she believes the new location will make a positive difference. She's been one of the vendors trying to get the market established for the past few years and is excited for the upcoming season.

"We did what we could to get the word out, but it just didn't gel," she said. She explained being along the highway will give the market more exposure.

"Once you're seen, the word of mouth will carry," Robinett said.

Robinett moved to Centerton in 1979 and has seen it grow. She said it's exciting to see it come alive, but there needs to be more community interest to bring recognition to the city.

"The farmers market will start bringing the community together better," she said.

Charity Gilgen will be a first-time vendor at the Centerton market. She'll sell homemade lye soap, vegetables from her garden and hand-spun wool from her sheep.

As a Centerton resident, Gilgen wanted to support the market by being one of its vendors, she said. Because it is a smaller market, Gilgen said she's able to offer more types of products.

"It's just an amazing feeling to make something from scratch and have someone purchase it and enjoy it," she said.

Another new addition will be weekly newsletters sent out through email that will highlight vendor specials and sales, what types of products will be available and entertainment or events that may accompany the market, Ritch said.

For more information on how to become a vendor or sign up for the newsletter, visit www.centertonfarmersmarket.com.

NW News on 03/25/2014

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