By DENNIS WYATT
209 Living
Market & Music in Manteca returns on Tuesdays from May 23 to July 25 at Library Park.
It will also mark the first time the Library Park’s whimsical water play feature will be turned on in more than four years due to the drought. The play feature will be available ion Tuesday’s during the Manteca Chamber of Commerce farmers market as well as on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.
The chamber has been building on the basic farmers market in recent years in a bid to turn it into a midweek evening respite of sorts for families and others.
Besides shopping for fresh produce the chamber is striving to get residents to spend some time on Tuesdays enjoying the cool Delta breezes beneath the canopy provided by stately sycamore trees while finding a spot to enjoy a light meal and listen to live music. Kids are encouraged to make use of the water play feature as well as playground equipment in the park that is accented with murals.
The chamber has added a Young Entrepreneur Day on Tuesday, June 5. Booth space for ages 8 to 18 are available for a reduced price of $5 to sell their crafts or promote their businesses. Some possibilities besides homemade times are dog walking, lawn care and babysitting. Information about the June 6 event can be obtained by going to www.manteca.org, emailing joann@manteca.org or call the chamber at 209.823.6121.
Those are the same three ways for businesses, non-profits, and crafters to obtain booth information.
On tap for this year at the Tuesday Market & Music in Manteca gatherings that run from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. from May 23 through July 25:
*There will be 10 farmers booths offering seasonal fruits and vegetables.
*Rosa’s Bakery will offer a full-line of baked goods.
*Stuyt Dairy is new this year offering various cheeses.
*Other food products include a hummus vendor.
*There are four vendors where you can grab a bite to eat — Taco Fiesta, Fagundes, Rock Oven Pizza, and Kettle Korn along with Kona Ice.
*There will be a beer and wine garden.
*Bands have been lined up for the entire season to provide free entertainment at the gazebo.
*Arts and crafts vendors have been lined up as well as some business booths.
*There will be weekly drawings that are free to enter using proof of purchase slips. Sizzler’s has provided dinners as prizes for each week while other items will be supplied by vendors.
American Chevrolet is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors are Doctors Hospital of Manteca, Tuff Boy, Delicato, South San Joaquin Irrigation District, and Oak Valley Community Bank, Bass Pro Shops, Golden Valley Credit Union, Kamps Propane, and Financial Center Credit Union.
There is no Market & Music in Manteca event of July 4.
