The Mountjoy Farmers’ Market will be staying where it is for the rest of the season.
This year, the Timmins Fall Fair stepped in to make sure the tradition continued after the Mountjoy Independent Farmers’ Market announced it wouldn’t be returning.
When fair president Rock Whissell approached council earlier this year, there was the potential for the weekly market to move to the curling club after the ice is put in at the arena.
Since then, the fall fair has bought a large tent to set up in the parking lot instead.
“With all the success we’ve had throughout the summer and all the people coming in, over 1,000 people per weekend, we’ve decided to stay here on this location,” he said.
By not moving, he said it keeps people in the same routine of stopping by.
“The weather is going to be a little bit more of an issue, but we’re going to have to dress up and be farmers and sell our products right here at the Mountjoy Arena,” he said.
Each week, he said there have been more than 15 vendors, who are ecstatic with the turnout.
“The sales, they’re saying it’s the best sales they’ve seen throughout the last 10 years for the farmers’ market. People are not just showing up to look at the products, they’re actually buying and spending money,” said Whissell.
“There’s also that local connection that people make and they love seeing the farmer and actually purchasing that’s locally grown and they can shake their hand and walk away.”
There are big plans in the works for next year, as well.
Whissell is looking for a permanent building for the market.
“Throughout the winter we’re going to be asking permission hopefully to build it at the Participark,” he said. “
“I’ve got plans made, it’s a 40 by 100 pavilion and if everything goes well and if we can get construction going next spring we would move into Participark next summer depending on all permits and all permission from different groups and different committees. So the fall fair will continue organizing it for next year, hopefully with the building and that we can have a permanent location for the next 20 years.”
