Rochester arena to be alternate venue for rainy Farmers Market days

Farmer's Market manager Vicky Poland (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Farmers Market is set to return for the season next month with some familiar faces, as well as some new additions as the market continues to grow in its fourth year.

This year the market will introduce a variety of theme and special guest days in order to make the market an even more attractive destination for residents of all ages, while also offering an alternative location - the Rochester Arena - instead of its traditional space on the Rochester Common in the event of inclement weather.

Beginning June 11 the Rochester Farmers Market will again be open every Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. until Sept. 24 and organizers are actively looking for volunteers to support the market and help ensure it can operate at its best.

With the coming season, the market will feature various special events and guests, kicking off with Children's Day on June 18, which will include storytelling with Papa Joe Gaudet, free balloons from N.H. Balloon Man, face painting by the Sparks of Hope Relay For Life team and a short free children's yoga class by Upala Yoga. Rochester Recreation will also host a variety of child-friendly activities that day.

On Harvest Day, scheduled for the final market of the season on Sept. 24, kids will have an opportunity to take wagon rides and participate in other activities provided by Belgian Meadows Farm.

The University of New Hampshire Nutrition Connection will visit and provide a meal prep clinic featuring foods available at the market, while Frisbie Hospital will conduct free health screenings onsite. Dates for each visit will be announced later.

"One of my favorite aspects about the market is that it's constantly growing and evolving and becoming more representative of our entire community," market manager Vicky Poland said. "I'm looking forward to the new features this year's market will have, plus the new and returning vendors and performers who have played such a pivotal role in the market's success since it began."

This year's vendors include Naked Hot Sauces, He Be G-Bees, New England Fishmongers, Two Wrongs Make a Right Bakery, Sanborn Hope Farm, Loaf and Ladle, Potters House Bakery, Zane T Ceramics, Teatotaller, Spirit Wind Farm, McKenzies Farm, Hackleboro Orchards, Sheehan Gardens and Lou the Jeweler, Sarandipity Soap, Claire's Kitchen, Woven City Restoration, Snow Family Farm, Studley Flower Gardens, Empty Nest Blueberries and Linda Hawkins Jewelry.

They'll be joined by a variety of performers, including Bill Cormier, Long Journey, Taylor River Band, Taylor Marie, North River Music, Cedar Mountain Bluegrass Band, Brian Munger, Double Take, Two Days from Monday, Shades O Grass and Brock & Brown.

The Rochester Farmers Market will provide updates on weekly vendors and entertainment online on Facebook and its website.

Anyone interested in volunteering to support the Rochester Farmers Market can learn more by emailing Poland directly at marketmanagerrfm@gmail.com.

Jordan Mayblum writes stories for the City of Rochester