Organizers for the Joseph “Bud” Myers Lower Burrell Farmers Market are doubling the number of vendors this year and planning special events at the weekly market held Saturdays.
Lower Burrell’s farmers market opens for the season May 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Popcorn and cotton candy machines will add to the festivities that include a children’s tent with crafts.
The organizers who took over after the death of the market’s founder and namesake, Bud Myers, are expanding the market to offer more locally sourced food and goods as well as live entertainment and children’s activities.
“We wanted to honor what Mr. Myers had built, and he would be pleased and excited to see it grow,” said Pam Key, who co-chairs the farmers market.
She credits her new co-chair, Carley Logan, 30, a mother of four, with providing ideas on what young families are looking for in a community event.
The women decided to keep the existing vendors, including two area farmers, but added more vendors offering a wide variety of products.
They decided to offer children’s activities, live entertainment and a lineup of special events and activities within the market to keep the event fresh and interesting.
“We wanted to draw more families,” Key said. “It’s a nice thing to have — an activity that runs from Saturday morning to afternoon.”
To learn what activities or features are planned for the weekly market, visit the Joseph “Bud” Myers-Lower Burrell Farmers Market Facebook page.
Previously, the market had eight vendors every week. Now the number will rotate with 13 vendors one week, then 16 to 18 vendors the following week, Key said.
The new vendors will sell local meats, chocolate-dipped strawberries, homemade pasta, Italian baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, handmade leather products, fresh farm eggs, handmade soda pop, kettle corn and more.
“Having more vendors satisfies the needs for a variety of items that you can’t get in our area,” Logan said.
She has been frustrated by the limited number of businesses in the city and wants to see more happening in the city and in the community, she said.
“We want to bring the businesses here that are owned by friends and neighbors who we want to help thrive as we build our community,” Logan said.
City Councilman Chris Fabry said this will be the second year without “Bud at the helm,” but Key and Logan are keeping the tradition and building on it.
“I’m excited for all of the new vendors and growth of the market,” he said. “The future looks bright.”
Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-226-4691, mthomas@triblive.com or via Twitter .
