Ephrata market opens third season

The 2005 season of Ephrata Farmer's Market opens Saturday

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Farmer's Market enters its third full season of operation Saturday, and organizers are excited to see this season bring continued growth.

A pilot season for the market was held in September 2002 to judge the community interest and June 2003 was the beginning of the fast growing market.

There are a gaggle of regular vendors lined up for this year, both children and adults, and an opportunity for new vendors to try their hand at selling homegrown items. Vendors who set up shop for the season must pay a market membership and vendor fee, but first time vendors are welcome to set up for one Saturday for free.

"The membership fees are the only fees collected for the market. All of that money is used for advertisements," said Carol O'Callaghan of the Ephrata Farmer's Market Association.

Renee Johnson is the new market manager, O'Callaghan explained. She went on to say that the market manager had to know how to do everything and was responsible for setting the tone of the market.

Other new features include more kids days at the market. On the last Saturday of every month children 12 and under are encouraged to bring in their homemade items to sell. For all children participating, the vendor fee is waived.

The market includes seasonal produce and crafts from local vendors. The one requirement of the market is that all produce, crafts and other items for sale must be homegrown or homemade items. Local vendors are also given preference to non-local members.

Some items that have become mainstays at the market are basil, pies, pasta, bread and garlic.

"There is plenty of room for more vendors," said O'Callaghan. The market sets up every Saturday of the season in front of the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"I wish I could have every single person in the Basin come and just take a look," said O'Callaghan.