For the first one of the season, organizers couldn’t be happier.
Conditions were nearly picture perfect, with sunshine, mild spring temperatures and a light breeze on Wednesday, April 19. The setting was the city’s Main Street Park, the event was the downtown Farmers Market hosted through the Escalon Chamber of Commerce.
Market Manager Megan McNinch enthusiastically eyed the large crowd that turned out, pleased with the event. The market will continue, each third Wednesday of the month, from 5 pm. to 8 p.m., through August.
“I’m so excited,” McNinch said Wednesday, just about an hour in to the event, with booths scattered throughout the park and residents perusing the large variety of wares offered. “I hope we can keep it up … I’m so excited to see people out and all the vendors, and I think people are excited to get outside. It’s beautiful and we have some shade coming for the summer months and some pop ups in the food court but if we can not have 102-degree days, we’ll be good.”
Main produce vendor, SONS Farm Fresh out of nearby Oakdale, was selling out of items quickly, as people gravitated toward the fresh fruits and vegetables.
“We let them know that there would be a lot of people looking for produce so I think next time they are going to maybe double up on what they bring,” McNinch said.
Zinc House Farms of Escalon is planning a return in May and will bring stone fruits and a selection of melons.
This month included the giveaway of seed packets and a cup with soil to plant them in to take home. While it was intended primarily for youngsters visiting the event, McNinch said they were happy to let everyone take home a packet.
“It was really cute; we had some seniors come over and pick out their seeds too,” she said.
Along with the agriculture focus, vendors included those with handcrafted items, soaps and candles, herbs, sensory dough and toys. Some food vendors enticed the crowd with grilled chicken, tacos and more, while there were also some cool treats offered.
“We have six more vendors adding next month and we just got Dave’s Meats so we’ll have an actual meat vendor out here and then we will have our art corner for the kids as well and we’ll be doing a different agricultural project each month,” McNinch said.
She added that they may have to rotate some vendors, as they have an abundance of them, but she’s not complaining.
“I feel like this might be our biggest vendor event we’ve had in town, ever,” she explained.
Future market dates are scheduled throughout the summer, running May 17, June 21, July 19 and wrapping up on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
