The Carman Farmers Market is gearing up for its 38th season, bringing back its popular mix of local vendors, live music and community connection.
Running Thursdays from June 13 to Sept. 19, the market will once again fill the Dufferin Agricultural Society Exhibit Hall with vegetables, baked goods, flowers, crafts, and locally raised meats — plus weekly performances and a rotating community booth.
The Carman Farmers Market will be back in full swing on June 13 and will have a little bit of everything for those wanting to shop and support local. Fresh flowers, homegrown veggies, home baked and home made is the name of the game. Every Friday vendors set up in the Dufferin Agricultural Building at the fairgrounds from 4-6:30 p.m.
“Personally, I love to see the people come back. Customers are very supportive, and I love that part of the market,” said Joyce Nicolajsen, the market’s secretary treasurer.
Musicians will be a staple once again, with long-time performers Tim Frost of Elm Creek, Lori Douma of Carman, and Don Swidinsky — who’s been part of the market since the beginning — all returning. A new musical duo, Barb Alarie from Carman and her brother Gregg Stangl from Winnipeg, will also take the stage.
To better draw attention from nearby campers, organizers are shifting the music to the south end of the building and relocating the community booth to the opposite side.
“I’m really interested to see how that will work out,” said Nicolajsen.
The market’s community booth, launched in 2013, allows a different local organization to connect with the public each week. This year’s lineup includes the Carman-Dufferin Museum, Dufferin Agricultural Society, the Garden Club, Carman Area Foundation, Health Auxiliary, Visions of Independence, Carman Wellness Connections, and the Carman Family Resource Centre.
“It’s a chance for us to pay back by supporting other community groups,” said Nicolajsen. “It attracts, each week, a different crowd for that group. Their supporters follow them to the market and in turn support the rest of what’s going on in the building. So it’s a full circle.”
The market is also working with Community Futures, a Canadian non-profit that supports rural entrepreneurship. The organization will help new vendors with financial assistance and startup advice.
“Community Futures have approached us and would like to encourage local entrepreneurs,” Nicolajsen said. “So, if anybody wanted to start the market as a vendor but they didn’t know how, they could approach Community Futures for support.”
Alongside the familiar favourites, the 2024 market comes with a few operational changes. Most notably, the 4 p.m. opening time will be more strictly enforced, with a rope across the door until the official start.
“Our market technically opens at 4. Many years ago we used to stick by that 4 o’clock opening time, but it kind of went by the wayside because customers like to come early,” said Nicolajsen.
Vendors are required to be in the building by 3:30 p.m., and the adjusted timing gives them more space to set up without interruption. Pre-ordered items can still be picked up at the door before the official opening.
The board is also narrowing its vendor eligibility to focus more tightly on the surrounding area. Only those from the RMs of Grey, Thompson, Dufferin, and Roland are eligible by default, though unique products from outside that area may still be approved.
“It’s just in an effort to keep the market local and to not duplicate products as much,” said Nicolajsen.
The market runs 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekly. On July 4 and 11, it will be held in the north side of the arena due to scheduling changes. Customers are reminded to bring cash, as there is no ATM on site.
