The reopening of the New Carlisle Farmers Market on Saturday, June 18 was the herald of a new season for the community. Music, crafts, refreshments, and produce vendors lined S. Main Street between Washington and Jefferson for the first of many upcoming weekends of local recreation and flavor.
Many years ago, the summer farmers market in New Carlisle was a staple of community life and a much-needed sales venue for area farms and businesses. With the help of West Clark County Business Coalition and other local business organizations, the market has been making a comeback over the last several years.
Beginning with opening weekend on June 18 and concluding on September 10, the market will have a different theme each Saturday. Watch for “Salsa Fest,” “Furry Friends,” and “Christmas in July” coming to a downtown near you.
Skip Graham joined the market board last year as the accountant and manager and oversees the organization and implementation of the Saturday events. “We want to promote business and support the community,” Graham said. “What the market does is bring more business downtown.” This year, 22 vendors applied and were accepted for the duration of the 13-week program. Organizations, businesses, and local craft vendors one can expect to see include Sip & Dipity paint bar, Security National Bank, the H.A.R.D. Acre Farm for the disabled, author Collene Miller, and many more.
President and General Manager of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Scott Griffith is also an active member of the board overseeing the farmers market. He was optimistic about opening day but also realistic about the challenges. “We want to make sure everyone can enjoy what’s going on but we have traffic and space to contend with,” Griffith said. Wheelchair accessibility and room on the sidewalks were notable issues to overcome on the first day. With the farmers market on an unblocked thoroughfare, accommodation of pedestrians required care, cones, and hundreds of feet of caution tape.
Griffith joined Graham in his view of future events coming up for the farmer’s market. “It’s going to be a great way for local people to connect and for members of adjoining communities to know more about what New Carlisle has to offer,” Griffith said. “If we can bring people together in this way over the summer, we will consider the farmers market a success.”
