Waxahachie Farmers Market to kick off summer season May 2
The Waxahachie Farmers Market opens its summer season this Saturday, May 2, with about 80 vendors signed up to participate. The summer season will run Saturdays through the next-to-last weekend in October.
“Join us from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 701 Howard Road for fresh produce, baked goods, local honey, flowers, handmade goods, coffee, sourdough, farm fresh favorites, and so much more from amazing local vendors,” the city of Waxahachie’s market Facebook page reads.
More than 50 vendors will be on hand, both inside and outside, each Saturday, with several vendors alternating weekends to accommodate individual schedules and to further expand the number of participating vendors.
Sandy Rehkopf, the city of Waxahachie’s downtown redevelopment and historic preservation director, encourages people to patronize what has become a thriving hub of small business entrepreneurs.
“We’re a farmers market (with) locally grown, locally produced items,” she said in an email communication. “We do have artisanal products, but they are also unique products that can’t be found in retail shops or online, so we’re going to make sure that we stick to that.”
The market is located next to the historic rodeo grounds and by the city’s dog park and walking trail. The property’s deed restrictions require an agricultural education use – and the farmers market more than fits the bill.
In support of that underlying tenet, the Ellis County Master Gardeners will expand to a double booth there to the right when you enter the main building. Master Gardeners will be on hand each Saturday providing expert advice and information, as well as seeds and starter plants on occasion. Other initiatives toward agricultural education are scheduled throughout the summer season, including visits from the Master Naturalists and livestock on display.
The market started years ago as an outdoor event on the courthouse square in downtown Waxahachie. It then moved to an old lumberyard on South Rogers Street before being relocated to what was a swine barn used by local ag sciences students at the Howard Road location.
Since its relocation, the market building has seen multiple improvements completed to the structure, from the addition of ceiling insulation, circulating fans, swamp coolers, and heaters to electric outlets for every booth and significant upgrades to the parking areas.
Funding for the market comes from the city’s taxing increment reinvestment zone as well as vendor rental fees.
For more information about the market, visit the city’s Facebook page for the Waxahachie Farmers Market or the city’s website at https://www.waxahachie.com/departments/downtown_development/downtown_farmers_market.php.
Written by Jo Ann Livingston/In The Know Ellis
