June 17 Opening Market Day! Lots of Local Farm Fare and More, Onset Students Performing, and Plenty of Fun for Kids!

The forecast has been looking iffy, but we just might once again have great weather for our Opening Day. But, rain or shine, be sure to come and support our farmers and other vendors as we enter our 9th season of bringing fresh local produce, specialty foods, and more to our community. The Wakefield Farmers Market will be at Hall Park, on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt, each Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from. from June 17 through October 14, 2017. To give directions to a friend, just tell them to use 468 North Ave via GPS.

Opening day will, weather permitting, feature great live music by talented students from Wakefield’s Onset School of Music, accompanied by the teaching staff, in what has become a great annual event at the market. This year will feature the following young people:
Solo Performances by: Sam Simpson – Wakefield, Peter Accardo – Lynnfield, Brigit Smith – Wakefield, Paige Martino – Lynnfield, Chloe Newell – Andover, Joshua Mattera – Lynnfield, Red Guard (BAND) Ryan Miller (Keys) - Lynnfield Anthony Adario (Guitar) - Lynnfield Colin Lamusta - Lynnfield Alex Ichimura - Lynnfield Andrew Bond - Lynnfield Chris Deichendes - Lynnfield Quick Silver (BAND) Sean Douglass (Piano) - Reading Jason Bois (Guitar/Vocals) - Stoneham Brian Conlon (Drums) - North Reading Jesse DeLaurier (Guitar/Vocals)- Melrose Mateus Lima (Violin) - Saugus Go48 (BAND) Andrew Lupien (Keys) - Wakefield Isak Lam (Drums) - Reading Finn Crowley (Guitar/Lead Vocals) - Reading Will Boemer (Bass Guitar) - Reading Joe Faulkner (Guitar) – Reading.

Our nonprofit guest this week is the wonderful Wakefield Independence Day Committee, the group that brought back and now continues to bring the biggest July 4th parade in Massachusetts and 2nd biggest in New England to our town. Volunteers will be on hand offering ways to help support parade, including some great T-shirts and other items for sale as well as ways become a one-day or ongoing part of the team that makes this great annual event happen.

Or wonderful balloon twisting artist who goes by The Magic of Yarrow plans to join us, or will send an equally talented friend, and we will of course also have hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, and jump ropes on hand for kids of all ages. We will have the Kid’s Activity tent set up and stocked with plenty of paper, crayons, as well.

We will have plenty of vendors this opening day, with all but one of our farmers (Flats will start July 1), all but one of our specialty food/beverage vendors, including new vendors Jaju Piergo and The Bread Shop, with new vendor Pony Shack Cider starting next week, and at least three of our artisans, plus On The Edge Knife Sharpening!

From all the feedback at the Festival by the Lake last week, I know there are a lot of folks joining me in looking forward to all the freshly picked fruits and veggies, lovely baked goods and specialty foods, and tasty treats and beverages that we will get to enjoy for the next 18 weeks.

Here are specials and news from our vendors in the order received:

Emmett's Edibles will have a special sale: Buy 3 snack packs of your favorite pet treat flavors for $18.00.

Aaronap Cellars returns with new vintages of old favorites as well as some brand new wines. Check out their sweet rose "Summer Blush" or enjoy the new "Carmenere-Malbec" for summer grilling!

Charlton Orchards says” We will have lots of strawberries and tons of eggs, tomatoes, and lettuce.

ON THE EDGE KNIFE SHARPENING WILL BE HERE OPENING DAY!

Farmer Dave says: We will have greenhouse tomatoes, kale, swiss chard as well as modest amounts (come early!) of lettuce, radishes, bok choy, arugula, scallions. Also, we will have Macs and Cortlands from last year - still surprisingly crisp!

Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for – the official list of week’s vendors!

Produce: Charlton Orchards, Farmer Dave, and Kelly's Farm will have plenty of in-season produce, although it might be a few weeks before the full bounty is in due to a cold May. But there will be luscious strawberries available, as well as greens, herbs, potted plants and hopefully cut flowers from Kelly’s if there are some ready for picking this early in the season. And, Charlton will have their eggs!

NEW THIS YEAR: Farmer Dave’s now has a kitchen to turn his produce into a number of great items such as jarred and picked products, marinara sauce and dehydrated produce, and will be bringing Baer’s Beans (dried legumes grown in Maine) to our market. Note: All items may not be available each week. As the season gets going, we’ll better be able to give an accurate item list for each market day.

Pasture-raised Meats, Poultry, and Eggs: Lilac Hedge Farm will have all you need for locally raised meats, poultry, and eggs, along with their local. honey. They also have yummy jerky type products, as well.

Fish: The Fish Lady will be here with great seafood from Red’s Best, where you know who actually caught your fish from our local waters.

Cheese: West River Creamery. Along with the best cheese, Jane will also have her delightful pickled products and more.

Maple: Ackermann’s will have their delicious pure maple syrup and other tasty maple products.

Specialty Foods: Coutt’s Specialty Foods, Deano's Pasta, In Good Taste (salsa), and Jaju Piergo, the latter with really yummy polish dumplings.

Baked Goods: Goodies Homemade (the BEST cookies!), Mamadou's Artisan Bakery, Swiss Bakers, The Bread Shop (new this year and also offering freshly milled flour), The Popover Lady, and Roasted Granola, which also offers locally made yogurt.

Beverages: Aaronap Cellars (wine) and Tower Beverages (craft soda). Plus, Pour Man’s Coffee where you can get a hot or cold beverage and unique treat to enjoy at the market as well as Fair Trade coffee beans from Dean’s Beans to take home.

Pet Treats: Emmett’s Edibles for your canine and feline friends.

Artisans: Hiller’s Silver Studio, Kaleidoscope Soap, and Sheepshed, as well as Alsion Simcox and Doug Heath with their great books about Lake Quannapowitt, Breakheart, and The Fellsway.

Coming Up: Throughout the season, we will host a number of great nonprofit groups, special events and feature live music most market days. We are also looking forward to cooking demos and other educational presentations that support our local farmers.

Want to help? Go to the How To Volunteer page on our website or stop by the Market Manager table to learn how. Many hands make a better market for all.

The market will continue to accept both SNAP/EBT and credit/debit cards for the purchase of Market Bucks for shopping, and will again be matching SNAP purchases up to $10 per visit so that everyone can afford to get fresh and healthy foods at our market.

The Wakefield Farmers Market runs RAIN OR SHINE (except in dangerous weather, e.g. lightning or hurricane conditions). The market opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m. every Saturday starting June 17 through October 14, 2017. Please visit www.wakefieldfarmersmarket.org for a current listing of vendors and upcoming events and to sign up for our email newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. See you at the Market!