A summer tradition is kicking off this weekend.
The Mountjoy Farmers’ Market is setting up at the Mountjoy Arena for its first event of the summer Saturday, July 14 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Earlier this year the future of the market was uncertain.
In May, the Mountjoy Independent Farmers’ Market announced it is not returning for another season.
The Timmins Fall Fair has stepped in to make sure it continues though.
“The public are really happy that we’re back up and running. It’s a tradition for them to on Saturday mornings go pick up their vegetables,” said Rock Whissell, Timmins Fall Fair president. “It’s a meeting place.”
Along with the local vendors, people can expect to see some new things this year.
“I think we’re going to be putting a little bit of fair into the market also, we will put a few more kids’ activities and get a little bit more fair atmosphere at the farmers’ market to make sure people enjoy coming to the market also,” Whissell said.
The market will run to mid-September. When the ice goes in at the arena, council heard last month that the event could move to the curling club. Whissell said they might also put a tent in the parking lot and run it from there.
For the long term, he is already planning.
We wants to build a pavilion that vendors would be able to back up to and serve out of their vehicles.
“And then we’ll have a permanent location so we don’t have to go back to the arenas and ask the city and ask for using their facilities,” he said.
Possible locations he’s eyeing is at the Mountjoy arena or Participark, however he said it will depend on where council wants it.
There is still room for new vendors.
“We have the whole arena floor, plus is some want to step outside and organize tents and whatnot outside, it’s their choice,” he said.
Anybody interested in taking part, can get in touch with them on Facebook.
The cost is $25 for a table, and an additional $5 for extra tables.
Whissell said they are also registering with Farmers’ Market Ontario, which has an insurance canopy that will cover smaller vendors who want to participate.
