Farmers market opens Saturday

    Locally grown produce, baked goods, jams, prepackaged meals, homemade soaps and handcrafted items are just a few of the items available at Coal City’s farmers market — Market Fresh on Broadway.
    The market opens for its second season on Saturday, July 22. Organizers have scheduled a full day of activities to be highlighted by the goods available from 11 vendors.
    Returning vendors are Candy and Corn, Perkins Farm, Three Sisters Produce and Wills Family Farm. New vendors include Albo Acres,  Apisera Craftworks, Little Farm on the Prairie Milkman Cafe, Nettle Creek Lavender Farm, Two Crafty Ladies and Stella’s Serendipity.
    Additional vendors have expressed an intent to take part in the markets so a variety of goods could be available throughout the season.
    The concept behind the market is to provide area residents with a location to access quality locally sourced products.
    The first of five scheduled markets will open at 8 a.m. this Saturday in Campbell Memorial Park. Vendors and activities will continue until 1 p.m.  
    The day will begin with yoga in the park and conclude with a sneak peak at  Small Town Theatrics’ summer production of “Dogfight: A New Musical.”
     Local resident Jaime Martis-Frazier, who is finalizing her training as a certified yoga instructor, will lead the morning yoga session. The 8 a.m. class will be held in the park gazebo. Those interested in participating are asked to bring a yoga mat, large towel and some water to the class. Additionally, each participant will be required to sign a liability waiver that is located on the Market Fresh on Broadway Facebook page, additional copies will be available at the market. Those under age 18 must have a parent sign for them. There is no charge to participate.
    Across the park, the Coal City Police Department will be serving breakfast from the concession stand. Coal City’s cops can cook and for this event it will be biscuits and homemade gravy.  To go along with that Babe’s  Tap will be offering its most popular drink, the Bloody Mary. The police department will also serve donuts, coffee and water while supplies last.
    Guitarist Destiny Barrus returns to the market for a second season and will perform throughout the day.  
    The cast of “Dogfight” will wrap up the day’s entertainment with a performance that begins at noon.
    As noted the highlight to the market is the vendors scheduled to participate and the goods they will be offering from their booth that includes:
    • Albo Acres—Alpaca fiber, yarn, figures, hats, gloves, socks, shoe inserts, dryer balls, blankets, purses, sweaters, and more.
    • Apisera Craftworks—Herbs, plants and vegetables.
    • Candy and Corn—Snow cones, gourmet and buttered popcorn, cookies, candy, praline nuts and cotton candy.
    • Little Farm on the Prairie—Natural, cage free eggs laid on a state-licensed farm in Saunemin. The Coal City Soccer Club will be selling them by the dozen.
    • Milkman Cafe—Pre-packaged foods including braised beef, roasted sweet potatoes and protein bars. Samples will be available.
    • Nettle Creek Lavender Farm—Lavender sprays, sachets, lip balm, lotions, soap, dried bouquets, plants and other combinations of lavender paired with scents.
    • Perkins Farm—Variety of garden grown vegetables.
    • Three Sisters Produce—Jams, jellies, spices, baked goods, vegetables and teas.
    • Two Crafty Ladies—Handcrafted key chains, hooded character bath towels, duster mitts, memory bears and more.
    • Stella’s Serendipity—Natural, food based body scrubs, bath bombs and related products.
    • Wills Family Farm—Sweet corn.
    Market Fresh on Broadway is sponsored by the village of Coal City, Free Press Newspapers, Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Three Rivers Association of Realtors and Sunshine Garden Center.
    Additional market days are scheduled for Aug. 12 and 26, and Sept. 9 and 23.