One of the Foothills’ most enduring farmers' markets is set to open for the summer.
The Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society itself has existed for over 100 years, and its Millarville Farmers' Market is going into its 41st year, opening June 17.
“We have brought in a lot of vendors that are new to us,” said Melonie McKee, farmers’ market and events manager with the society.
“There will still be the core favourites, lots of produce, fruits, vegetables, but a lot of new-to-us vendors this year.”
Each week of the market, running through until fall, will feature approximately 185 vendors, primarily local producers.
"We really tried to make it more local, grow it,” McKee said. “We have always been an approved farmers' market, we put a lot of effort into vetting all the vendors, making sure they are making all their items.”
This, McKee explained, has been in conjunction with the Alberta Farmers' Market Association, which also just launched a verification program that vendors can sign up for to get vetted.
Growing that roster has always been about striking the right balance and assortment.
“It’s good but it can be challenging, you kind of go through these ebbs and flows of products each year,” McKee said. “The core part of the market is pretty strong, but then you get all these cool little new items that come through.
“Just to see the creativity in people is pretty amazing.”
New to the market this year is an agricultural themed playground, located between the camping areas at the ag society grounds.
“This is a ten-year plan that’s finally come to fruition,” McKee said. “We were able to do it with government funding, as well as a massive amount of donors.”
Those wishing to help fund it can still put up $200 to get their name on a brick for the donor wall.
“There’s cows, there’s barns, and there’s a tipi – it's a very agricultural theme,” McKee said.
As a kick-off for the market season, a 21.1-kilometre half-marathon takes place at 7:30 a.m. that morning, dubbed the “Run to the Farmers’ Market”, beginning in Black Diamond, through Diamond Valley, then up to the market grounds.
The run features a twist: participants may sign up as either a runner, or a ‘bunner’. Placed at stations along the way are tables loaded with cinnamon buns from Cob’s Bread.
While optional for the runners, bunners must gobble down one of the sweet treats at each station to carry on.
There is also an option to run a two-person relay.
For more information on the market, visit millarvilleracetrack.com, and for information about the run visit millarvillehalfmarathon.com.
