Press Materials
Current Press Release:
The Art of LIVING LOCALLY: The Walloomsac Farmers’ Market Craft Markets
The Walloomsac Farmers’ Market is offering Southern Vermont’s freshest arts and crafts at two special arts-focused markets on July 2nd and October 8th, 2011.
“The market typically attracts more than 700 customers each week, often exceeding 1,000 during peak season. We offer our customers the opportunity to purchase not just food, but other local products—to eat locally and to live locally. We also want to create the opportunity for more artists and crafters to benefit from this thriving marketplace, mindful that the market is first and foremost a twice-weekly opportunity for local farmers and food producers to reach the public,” states Steven Trubitt, president of the Market Board. “Our solution is to try out the concept of arts- and crafts-focused markets,” he adds.
“One of the great things about the Farmers’ Market is that we offer a variety of produce and other foods. But because we’ve made a commitment to keep the percentage of food vendors at 80 percent, we are by necessity limiting the number of other goods we can include at our weekly markets,” explains Leslie Noyes, who is organizing the new craft markets. “If the craft markets prove successful, we plan to incorporate them into the market season on a permanent basis, along with a third crafts event for the holiday season.”
By adding these two arts-focused events, the Market will provide its customers with even more ways to buy locally. And as gas prices continue to climb, this is a great way to minimize your carbon footprint by enjoying an original shopping experience without leaving town. Noyes adds, “A benefit to crafts vendors is that we’ll be advertising and promoting these special markets to locals who are already fans of our farmers’ market and to visitors looking for a unique shopping experience.”
Tentatively titled, ‘The Art of Living Locally at the Walloomsac Farmers’ Market,’ the markets highlight a natural affinity between farmers and craftspeople. Inspired by their surroundings, area artists and crafters create original, handmade works that are beautiful as well as useful. The market will include categories such as knitting and other fiber arts, glass, furniture and wood objects, ceramics, paintings, and drawings.
Committed to incubating new businesses, the Market keeps booth fees low for its vendors. The Art of Living Locally market fee will be $30 per market for non-market members, with a discount of $10 per market if signing up for both summer and fall markets. The fee is $15 per market for market members. In accordance with the market application process, the Living Locally Markets will be juried.
To apply as a vendor for the July 2nd and/or October 8th Living Locally Markets, please visit www.livinglocallymarket.wordpress.com for an application, the show guidelines, and additional information. The deadline to apply for the July 2nd market is June 5th. Contact Leslie Noyes at LmnCreate@myfairpoint.net or at 802-379-7199 with any questions.
