I’ve been involved with farmers markets both as a seller and now as a market manager for more years than I care to admit. I’m often asked what is the key to a good market day? I always need to stop and think because there are so many reasons. Some will tell you it is all weather-related. The nicer the day the better the crowd. Others will tell you it’s the vendor themselves, that a variety of products and reasonable prices are the key. Still, others will say it depends on what are the alternatives going on that day as customers can’t be in two places at once. And others will say customers need a reason to come to the market, a “draw” be it entertainment or some other happening to participate in. And all of these answers are correct. I’ve also come to understand that it requires something that can’t be sold by a vendor. It’s the energy that comes from bringing a group of people together who are having a good time and enjoying the day. It’s the coming together of friends and neighbors to visit and socialize. It’s a sense of adventure as to what you might discover. The relationships that can build over time between the vendors and the customers. And the knowledge that you’re directly supporting a small business that cares about their product, produced the product, and wants to share that product. All of these things make for a successful market.

A big THANK YOU to all who braved the weather this past Saturday and welcomed our vendors back for the start of the 2022 Farmers and Makers Market in Millbrook!  For those who were unable to attend we hope you’ll come by this week and say hello to our returning vendors and welcome our new vendors.