A long-standing summer tradition is returning to Warman this month.
The Warman Farmers Market (WFM) is slated to open for the season on Thursday, May 25.
WFM Coordinator Anne Janzen, a baker of local renown and one of the longest-serving members of the community-based venture, said there are 23 vendors lined up for the coming season.
“That’s the most we’ve ever had,” said Janzen in an interview May 2. “We have quite a few bakers, a lot of craft people, and of course vegetable growers, but the vegetables won’t be available until July at the earliest.
“We also have a meat vendor, and new this year is a small-scale craft liquor vendor. We had to get approval from the city of Warman and provincially from the SLGA to allow that, but it finally came through. I think people will be interested in that.”
Janzen said the weekly outdoor market’s carnival atmosphere helps draw people in. She added the group is planning several ‘special days’ similar to previous years, and is optimistic there will be some live entertainment periodically to add to the experience.
“We’ll have a special Children’s Day in August,” said Janzen. “This will be a market day where we encourage the kids to set up as vendors to sell products that they’ve made themselves. The products can’t be made by the parents, it has to be the kids who do it. The kids’ tables will be provided free of charge to them.
“We did an event like this two years ago and the response was great.
“We’ll also have games for the kids who come to the market as customers and prizes as well.”
Janzen said the Warman Farmers Market will run weekly on Thursday afternoons from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the north end of the Warman Home Centre Communiplex (formerly the Legends Centre) on Centennial Boulevard.
MARTENSVILLE MARKET
The Martensville Farmers Market (MFM) is also returning for the season, with opening day slated for Saturday, June 24.
MFM Coordinator Marjan Petter, who owns and operates Petter Farms west of Osler and is also a vendor at the WFM, said the market will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Saturday. It’s located in the parking lot of the Martensville Corner Store on Centennial Drive North.
“We’re hoping the new hours will be convenient for people,” said Petter. “We’ve tried different hours and weekdays, but it hasn’t caught on in the same way that Warman’s has. I think the switch to Saturdays will be appreciated by people who are working during the week.”
Petter said the MFM is looking for more vendors of all types.
“It’s a good experience being a vendor,” she said. “You meet a lot of people and it’s a very social event.
“We have some bakers and some crafts people; and there will be vegetable vendors as well, but obviously the produce won’t be ready until a few weeks from now.”
Anyone interested in becoming a vendor with the MFM is invited to contact Marjan Petter at 306-260-7395.