A weekly farmers market is set to open soon in Aberdeen, offering a variety of local fresh food, craft vendors and entertainment. The market, officially called the Aberdeen Sunday Market, is intended to run every week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along South Broadway Street in Aberdeen, between Heron Street and East State Street. It starts May 26 and runs until Sept. 15.
So far, 12 vendors, which include produce, seafood and craft-sellers, are signed up, but there’s room for about 20 in total, said Market Manager Lauren Garrett.
She said the goal of the market is to provide something fun for the community that gets more people hanging out in downtown Aberdeen, helps put Aberdeen “back on the map,” and provides a place to get fresh food grown in the nearby community.
Marissa Aube, treasurer for the market’s board, said it’s about adding more activities for families and other visitors downtown.
Garrett said she moved to the area with her husband in 2015 with the goal of buying land to start a small farm, and that it was important to her to get involved in the community and have a place to sell her own products one day.
The market is still seeking additional vendors, and Garrett said they are in need of a honey maker, as well as food trucks and hot food sellers to join in.
There’s a $25 cost for a booth at the market in a 10 foot by 10 foot space, but the cost is waived for produce providers, and for nonprofit groups and community organizations that aren’t fundraising. The application for vendors is available by PDF on the market’s website, at www.aberdeensundaymarket.org, under “About Us” and “Become A Vendor.”
Some vendors signed up for May 26 so far include Brady’s Oysters, a shea butter maker, and various craft and produce providers. Some activities lined up include the duo band “Just Us,” performing music, and children’s activities by the Timberland Regional Library.
There have been efforts to create an Aberdeen farmers market in the past, but in each case the market never caught on and ultimately fizzled out. Garrett and Aube said they believe this one will be different because they’ve been planning for over a year, and have joined the Washington State Farmers Market Association to get advice from other organizers.
“Rather than reinvent the wheel or go in blind, we have this huge support network that is great, anything you need help with,” said Garrett.
Garrett said that if things go well, maybe the market could expand next summer to the other side of Broadway Street, or eventually see a permanent building be dedicated for the market.
