FIRST First Saturday Farmers Market This Week!

The popular First Saturday Markets at the Fredericksburg Farmers Market are expanding to include even more fun, family-friendly activities in 2013. The First Saturday Markets begin this Saturday, May 4, and run through October. Prince Edward Street will be closed to bring even more vendors to the popular Saturday market.

Each First Saturday Market will have themed events. May’s theme is Health & Wellness. Mary Washington Healthcare’s Community Health Group will be doing basic health screenings. The Imaging Center for Women will be offering information on breast health. And the Fredericksburg Fire and Rescue Department will help families learn about safety at home.

In addition to these community health advocates, we’ll also have even more community groups and farm fresh produce from local vendors. You’ll also see Rogers Ford Farm Winery, Blenheim Organic Gardens, FoodE, Central Rappahannock Library, Beach Fries, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, Knick-Knack-Paddy-Whack, Vegucation, Finchville Dairy, Maranatha Alpacas, Loose Leaf Tea Co., Energizing Escentials, Rock Hill Honeybee Farm, and Deep Rooted Nutrition.

“We’d love for families to come down, spend some time shopping and tasting the great local produce and other products we offer. It shouldn’t be stressful like a trip to the grocery store might be. Here you can shop for the week’s meals, let your kids run in the park, have a picnic lunch, get some great lifestyle info, and just enjoy being out in the sunshine. Bring your grocery bags and a cooler, and you’re all set. You can even bring the dog!,” says Market Manager Gayle Price.

What can you get at the market? Just about everything you need to feed your family, says Price. Milk, meat, seafood, eggs, bread, cakes and sweets, honey, ethnic and specialty items, plants for growing food or flowers, cheese, handmade wooden items, prepared food and coffee, and lots and lots of fresh produce from local farmers. "Other than toilet paper, if we don't have it, you don't need it," Price says.

The Farmers Market has teamed up with Fredericksburg Parks & Rec to offer the popular Art in the Park series in conjunction with the First Saturday Markets. Local artisans will be in the park selling lots of beautiful handcrafted items. Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is just around the corner! It’s not too early to start planning a gift or meal for Mom.

The Fredericksburg Farmers Market is located at Hurkamp Park on Prince Edward and George Streets. Market hours are 7am-2pm, Monday-Saturday. Additional parking is available at Renato’s and FW Sullivan’s Restaurants. Credit and SNAP are accepted at the Market Manager Tent. For more details check out their website or Facebook page. The next First Saturday will be JUNE 8, 2013.