13th season starts 7 weeks early
ALLEN PARK – The Downtown Allen Park Farmers Market will begin its 13th season April 16, seven weeks earlier than normal.
The market will run from 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays through October on Park and Harrison avenues.
While the market usually opens the first week in June, the Allen Park Downtown Development Authority believes the time is ripe for an early start.
“Last year the market started five weeks late because of COVID,” DDA Executive Director Jennifer Kibby said. “We wanted to be sure we could safely operate and the public felt comfortable coming to the market.”
Public demand turned out higher than anticipated and market sales surged, leading vendors to suggest an earlier start in 2021.
“The DDA will maintain the same safety standards,” Kibby said. “We think shopping at our market is safer and more pleasant than a crowded grocery store.”
Safety measures include:
• Vendor booths spaced 10 feet apart.
• Masks required for vendors and customers.
• Sanitation stations at each entrance.
• Hand sanitizer at each booth.
EBT cards will be accepted at the market this year.
“Thanks to a grant from the Michigan Farmers Market Association, we received a wireless terminal that allows us to process EBT cards and serve more community members,” Kibby said.
Longtime favorites and new vendors will be at the market, including: Susie the Pierogi Lady, Kapolnek Meats, Norman Catering, Scott-Tish Bee Honey, Kettle Corn of Michigan, Love’s Custard Pies, and Steve’s Gourmet Cheese.