The Pope County Farmers Market will be moving from its current location to the Pope County Fairgrounds when it opens on April 22nd for the 2017 season. It will also introduce an evening market on Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm starting June 1st.
The farmers market, which has been held at the West Side Church of Christ for the last several years, decided to make the move during their annual meeting on March 6th.
“We’ve loved our time at West Side. They’ve been wonderful to us,” said Market President Kenny Drewry. “It’s just gotten to where we need a little more room to grow. We explored several locations, but felt the fairgrounds were really ideal for us.”
Drewry said the availability of good parking, public restrooms, a covered area in hot weather, and wheelchair accessibility were all factors in the Pope County Farmers Market Association decision.
“There’s a lot of room to expand at the fairgrounds,” he said. “Which will give us the opportunity to add a lot of new vendors and offer more to our customers.”
Farmers interested in learning more about how to join the farmers market can reach out to the association through by sending a message to the “Pope County Farmers Market/Russellville's Farm to Table Market” Facebook page or emailing them at popecofarmersmarket@gmail.com
Moving the market’s Thursday hours from morning to evening has been something the market has been considering for some time, said Drewry:
“A lot of our customers can’t come out during the day. It’s something they’ve talked to us about and we want to make them happy. An evening market makes a lot of sense. You’re on your way home from work and can stop in and really fresh, local foods for dinner.”
So far, the community seems to be responding very well to the news. The market’s facebook post announcing the move was shared over four hundred times and there was a significant bump in likes to the page, bringing the total to over three thousand. Market advertising committee member Delinda LaRue said the whole market is committed to making sure the word about both the move and evening market reach as many people as possible.
“We don’t want anyone left behind,” she said. “And social media has been a great way for us to reach people.”
Shoppers coming out to the Grand Opening on April 22nd can expect to see some vegetables in season, including cold weather crops like lettuces and kale. Other goods available include eggs, honey, jams, baked goods, goat milk soap, art, wood bowls & crafts, and more:
“You never know what will turn up at market.”
The market’s Spring schedule for the 2017 season will be Saturdays from 8am -1pm. The Summer Market begins on May 27th and includes Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8am -1pm, and Thursdays from 4pm-8pm.