Annandale’s fledgling farmers market will wrap up this weekend what by all accounts has been a successful first season. Vendors will gather from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 11, in the parking lot in front of city hall for the 19th and final time this year. But they and market organizers say they’re looking forward to doing it again next year. The Annandale Farmers Market opened Saturday, June 7, after the Discover Downtown Annandale business group proposed it last winter to attract people downtown and to connect with local growers. "Everything’s gone really smoothly," said Amy Sparks, who organized the market along with Sue Thwing. "The vendors have been supportive … The businesses have been supportive," Sparks said. "I’ve only heard positives." The market has attracted a small number of quality vendors and generated a steady flow of customers who have boosted traffic at area businesses, according to her and Thwing, who both regard it as a success. "We didn’t have a lot of people, but we have really quality people," Sparks said, listing six vendors who regularly sell a variety of produce and products there. "It’s a constant flow of people," she said of market visitors. Sparks said she arrives at 6 a.m. to prepare for the four-hour market. "Those are the fastest six hours of my life because there’s so much going on." She recalled one August weekend when the Annandale Community Band entertained. The music, the people of all ages walking around and all the activity were moving, she said. "It was great. I got choked up. It was total Americana." Business owners have told her they’re noticing an increase in foot traffic in their stores when the market’s open, Sparks said. "Town looks packed. It looks busy and alive." The first-year success is "a foot in the door," she said, and she expects the number of vendors and customers to grow in the years to come. "It’s just been such a nice event," Thwing said, agreeing with Sparks’ assessment of the first season. The weather on market days couldn’t have been better if they had ordered it, she said. Dennis Keim, who raises vegetables in his rural Sauk Rapids garden, and his wife, Julie, are the market’s biggest fans, according to Sparks. They heard about the Annandale market from her brother and have returned here most weekends to sell some of their vegetables, Julie Keim said. They also sell at the Sauk Rapids farmers market on Thursday afternoons. Friendly town "We love your town," she said, pointing out how friendly the other vendors and shoppers have been. "Your market setting is just lovely. You’ve got everything there. "We look forward to coming and we leave just feeling great," she said. On top of that they’ve made a profit. And they’re making plans to return next year. Tom Westman sells cinnamon sticky buns and cookies every week at the market. "It’s been fun," the owner of Papa Tom’s Lake Sylvia Comfort Foods said. "I’ve done very well. I’ve sold out most every week." He expects to be back next year. "It’s nice for the downtown area," Westman said. "I’d like to see this grow and prosper." Garrett Jordahl’s artisan breads have developed something of a "cult following," according to Sparks. The owner of Diamond City Bakery in Elk River said he attends the Annandale market every week and sales have been "pretty good." Mary Heinz and her husband, George Martin, of Annandale raise organic vegetables and sell them at the market each week. They’ve been successful, she said, and plan to come back next year. The market’s gotten a good start, Heinz said, and it has "a very loyal following" of people who come every week. Better time? But there might be a better time for it because of competition from the Wright County Swappers Meet on Saturday mornings, she said. Sparks, however, anticipated conducting the market next year at the same day and time. It may be extended a week or two, she said. Other regular vendors are Kim Gregoire, who sells Basic Care natural bath products, and Fairhaven Farm, which offers fruits like raspberries and apples and pies, scones, jams and jellies. Discover Downtown Annandale has also maintained a booth at the market for any downtown business that wanted to promote itself on a given Saturday. Only a couple have actually taken advantage of it, Sparks said, but they were pleased. Area churches and the Heart of the Lakes Trails Committee of the Annandale Area Community Team have also used it. She wants to use it to showcase more businesses next year. She also plans to bring in different events and provide more variety in the market next season, Sparks said.
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