By Anna Skinner
With the weather warming, the downtown streets of Westfield are full of residents mingling, shopping and exploring the trails. Soon, the streets will be full of residents exploring the farmers market.
Returning to the roots of years past, the Westfield Farmers Market will take up residence at the open space west of city hall, 130 Penn St. Other changes are expected to come as well.
“There’s a lot of differences. It’s on a different day at a different time with a different logo and name,” said Teresa Skelton, market master. “We are focusing more on food, and we are not having a lot of professional service type of booths. Primarily, we want to focus on produce. The vision is a European faire with artisanal flair.”
The market will occupy the space from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday mornings, June 4 through Sept. 25 except for the weekend before July 4 and Labor Day. In addition to the European feel, there will be live entertainment during the hours of the market, such as music performed by local bands.
Melanie Miles, co-market manager, said the market will be a place to spend time and chitchat.
“It is more of an event where you’re going to spend time instead of just walk through. It will be a place where people will hang out,” she said. “People can sit and drink beer. There will be beer and wine vendors, coffee vendors and food trucks.”
The market moved from the parking lot of Ameriana Bank, now First Merchants Bank, at the corner of Carey Road and Ind. 32. It has moved multiple times, but this time with an end goal of holding it at Grand Junction Plaza.
Jen Whitesell, co-market manager, said that with the end goal of Grand Junction Plaza in mind, moving the market to the city hall lawn was a good idea.
“We are bringing the market downtown, back to its roots, and bringing it closer to where it will soon be at Grand Junction Plaza. It’s closer to Grand Park, which will drive lots of traffic,” Whitesell said. “Being down at this new location will make people aware of all the different offerings we have as restaurants and businesses they may not be aware of. It can draw more towards that.”
The Westfield Farmers Market originally started in 2008 at Red Man Park off of Main Street, and has since been at the lawn of city hall and Ameriana Bank. Last year, the market was on Friday evenings.
“I think actually the day and time is good, because it’s on the same day as many markets but not quite as early as some of those markets,” Skelton said. “We view this as not only a good fun event for the whole family, but as a great community engagement and awareness of what’s going on in our downtown community.”
Skelton said that dogs are allowed at the market but must remain at a leash at all times, and owners must take responsibility of cleaning up after the dog.
Booth spots are still available for produce and fresh flower merchants through May 16. There are currently 40 vendor spots taken and 10 more available. To be considered for the application process, call Skelton at 317-508-3392.
From year to year
- 2008-2010 – The market begins in Red Man Park.
- 2011-2012 – The market moves to city hall.
- 2013-2015 – The market is held at the Ameriana Bank parking lot.
- 2016 – The market will return to city hall.
Future markets will take place at Grand Junction Plaza once construction is complete.
