Farmer's market starts 2008 season Saturday
Organizers say they hope new location at park will make for better experience this year.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The West Chester Farmer's Market is scheduled to kick off its fifth summer season
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17. All but two of the vendors selling local food, crafts and produce are return vendors, but long-time visitors will have a new experience this year, thanks to a new location.
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The farmer's market originated at The Feed Barn, the farm and lawn goods store on Cincinnati-Dayton Road owned by Jim and Linda Rosselot, who are third-generation township farmers. When the Rosselots decided to move a scaled-back retail operation to their farm this spring, West Chester Twp. began talking with them about moving the market to The Square @ Union Centre, the park under construction on West Chester Road across from Lakota West High School.
"A farmer's market has always been considered a really important part for us at the square," said township information officer Barbara Wilson. "We were aware of what the Rosselots did with their farmer's market. We had discussed it with them ... trying to find a way to make it happen without negatively affecting them."
The township published a request for qualifications earlier this year for a market manager, and the Rosselots were subsequently selected to manage the market. Wilson noted the Rosselots have offered to manage the event at no charge to the township.
Jim Rosselot said the new location presents opportunities for the 5-year-old market.
"I think we'll be in a better position to do a little bit of entertainment," he said.
Though past years have seen informal musical performances, he said they hope to formalize the entertainment this year.
Linda Rosselot added that they hope to incorporate culinary activities with local chefs, as well as picnic raffles that will benefit Reach Out Lakota.
"I think it will go over really well," she said, adding that she still is finalizing details of the activities.
Tracy Bedford, assistant manager for the farmer's market, said she, like the vendors, is excited about the new location.
"It's a pretty main area," she said. "I think we're going to see a lot of traffic."
The West Chester Farmer's Market takes place 9 a.m. to
1 p.m. Saturdays beginning May 17 through October. It will be located on the west end of Centre Pointe Drive until The Square @ Union Centre is complete, when it will move into the park.
For more information on the farmer's market, call (513) 894-2040 or visit gravelknolls
farm.homestead.com.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or mcunningham@coxohio.com.
