New farmers market to hit area
A twice-monthly farmers market running through August launches in June at the West Alexander Fairgrounds. The “We Have Good Things Growing” theme of state fairs across the commonwealth helped kick off the idea, according to fair board director Niki Ryburn.
“There was nothing like this for West A,” Ryburn said, “so everyone was going to Washington or Wheeling to go to farmers markets. We want to utilize our farmers and highlight the local products they dedicate their lives to growing or raising.
“We’ll have three separate sections: the farmers market, crafters corner and the ‘fair flea’ (market),” Ryburn said, “and some of the contributors to the market will be the Future Farmers of America clubs from Trinity, McGuffey and Fort Cherry.”
The FFA students will brings herbs, flowering plants and vegetables from their community greenhouses, Ryburn said, while other farming families – like the Pattisons and McConns – will be selling chocolates, baked goods, farm-raised pork products, eggs and other livestock products. In the craft section will be soaps, candles, vintage signs, “puzzle lights,” fine art portraits, kids clothes, vintage memorabilia and knick-knacks.
The scheduled dates are every first and third Saturday June through August, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those scheduled days are June 4 and 8, July 2 and 16, and August 6 and 20. More information and updates will be posted to the West Alexander Facebook page. The fairgrounds are located at 116 Route 40 West in West Alexander.