The Market on Madison will kick-off the summer season Saturday
morning with vendors of locally grown, handcrafted or homemade items of all
kinds for purchase.
Kathy Jones, director of MainStreet Dublin, which manages the Market,
said it is not necessary for vendors to call ahead to reserve a booth at the
market.
“You can just show up. It’s $10 for a booth for a day,” she said.
The Market on Madison, Laurens County’s farmers’ market, is not a flea
market.
“The items that you sell must be handmade, homemade or home-grown.
It’s a true farmers’ market. We encourage crafters to come as well. Live
plants, fresh cut flowers, fruit and vegetables, art, anything,” said Jones,
adding it is an opportunity for those who have special talents to bring some
of their handmade wares to sell.
Because the cost of the booths are so low, Jones hopes to encourage
even those who have a small amount of items, such as those who may have
over-planted for their family, to bring out the extras to sell.
“The small farmer is what this market is all about,” said Jones. “Even if
you don’t have a large farm and you just have a small garden with items
you’re growing we encourage you to come participate.”
Jones said there is a market for all kinds of produce from the plum tree
to the pepper plant.
“People really want local produce,” she said.
A local farmers’ market can bring people from all around to get produce
grown near their home. It has become the trend for families to try to save
money and eat fresher by only using food grown within a 50-mile radius of
their home, and the economy has made that an even better idea.
“It’s a calling card,” said Jones of locally-grown and homemade items.
In addition to the items for sale there will be entertainment at the market
for the season opening as well.
“We’re going to have live music and hot dogs,” she said.
Several local ladies bring out their homemade jams, jellies and baked
goods.
Jones said she just can’t express enough the importance of supporting
the farmers’ market.
“We encourage the community to support the market,” she said. “People
have been asking when is it going to open.” With the economy people.
The Market on Madison will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. “until.” It will
also open every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the growing season from
8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Jones said she expects a large crowd of shoppers Saturday.
“People get up and go to the garage sales and then they come to the
market,” she said.
For more information call Jones at 478-272-2560.