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The Tappahannock Main Street Program, the Town of Tappahannock and Essex County have planned a series of monthly Farmers’ Markets to be located in historic downtown Tappahannock. The markets will be held from 9-1 pm on the third Saturday of each month starting April and running through November (but not June as this is RivahFest). The market is located on Cross Street, on Fountain Green, and the Courthouse Green, in the center of Tappahannock, one block from the intersection of Route 17 and 360.
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Tappahannock, VA, September 14, 2011 --
The Tappahannock Farmers’ Market returns to the town center on Saturday, September 17, from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. “It takes a village” is the most apt description of this Must Attend monthly event. . .this “village” is a combination of very generous underwriters, vendors, visitors, and volunteers – each critical to the market’s outstanding success.
The Very Generous lead underwriters have made it all possible, and foremost among those are EVB Bank, WRAR/WNNT, and the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Their support has helped secure publicity and promotion of the Tappahannock Farmers’ Market through billboard banners, newspaper advertising, and other promotional expenses which bring the customers to the market month after month. The increased and sustained customer business in turn keeps the vendors coming back. The two local radio stations have not only provided a lot of pre-market air-time, but also broadcast live from every market as well. One sponsor said: “I am thrilled with the Farmers’ Market event! It is very well organized, choreographed, marketed, and attracts a variety of quality vendors and patrons. It is quite impressive.”
EVB President and CEO Joe Shearin endorsed the market's success saying “On behalf of EVB, I am pleased that our employees have become involved and embraced this worthwhile endeavor to further support the Main Street initiative to reinvigorate beautiful downtown Tappahannock. This is just one example of the role that community bankers play to promote the development of their hometown communities.”
The Vendors have provided an extraordinarily varied display of every vegetable, fruit, meat, and seafood imaginable. Many have sold out before the end of the morning. Local crafters offer an amazing array of hand-made goods as well. The wineries that will be on hand in September are the Hague Winery returning for the second time this season, and for the first time we welcome Ingleside Winery. New additions in August were purveyors of artisan bread and bison meats – there is no telling what new vendors will appear in September. The featured artist this month will be local girl Jen Donald with her paintings and new tile designs featuring Essex County and Tappahannock scenes.
The Visitors are drawn in by the publicity and the knowledge of the high quality of the offerings. They have either walked down the street and enjoyed visiting with their neighbors at this large local block party, driven in for the market from close by areas, or seen the signs and stopped in en route to other more distant destinations. There is a happy atmosphere of meeting and greeting throughout the morning.
The Volunteers have diligently worked behind the scenes for weeks of preparation and are on hand early in the morning before each market to help to set up and assist vendors in finding their assigned spots. They are back at the end of the market to return the streets to normal. Those pictured in their Farmers’ Market shirts in the photograph are representatives of EVB bank and other members of the community having fun helping it all go smoothly. More volunteers are needed and will go home with a shirt of their very own in appreciation for their efforts. Call Lindsey Atkinson at 445-2067 or email manager@tappahannockmarket.com to volunteer and earn a shirt! EVB’s Patricia Gallagher commented, “It is great fun to volunteer at the Welcome Tent and see so many of our customers, neighbors, and friends milling about and enjoying this community event. There are many volunteers, all working as a team with a common vision, to make the Farmers’ Market a destination not to be missed on the third Saturday morning of each month.”
A recent article the New York Times magazine talked about the glut of farmers’ markets and the resulting decline in their popularity. . .not so in Tappahannock. Of local markets the Tappahannock Farmers’ Market has higher traffic and higher sales than most and since each Saturday rotates around the main towns in the Northern Neck there are no conflicts.
Every member of this Farmers’ Market “village” is essential for its success. A project of Tappahannock’s Main Street project, ALL are welcome to participate in this community-building endeavor. See you there!
Photo caption: Two Tappahannock organizations provide the backbone volunteer support to make the market a monthly success – EVB’s community service volunteers and Tappahannock Main Street Program supporters. From left to right, front to back: The Tappahannock Farmers’ Market Volunteers: Bill Croxton – Liaison with Essex County Museum and Tappahannock Rotary Club; Kia Ware – EVB Vice-President and Community Services Coordinator, David Broad – Market Coordinator & TMSP Treasurer, Stacey Mundie – EVB Manager of Market Volunteers; Yvonne Vaughan – Tappahannock Main Street Program; Patricia Gallagher – EVB Corporate Secretary and Farmers’ Market Platinum Sponsor; Claudia Gray – Assistant Market Manger; Lindsey Atkinson – Market Manager and Chief Go-To person; Harold Van Arsdale - Tappahannock Main Street Program; Brooke Mullery – Vice President Tappahannock Main Street program; Lois Ward - Tappahannock Main Street Program. Not shown: From the EVB Volunteer Team: Rebecca Hubert, Katherine Newman, Mary Supko; From Tappahannock Main Street Program: Aaron Bowles, Edie Bowles, Terry Brooks, John Clickener, Mavora Donoghue, Vince Donoghue, Forrest French, Brenda Gladding, Joey Reinhardt, Penelope Saffer, Julie Stanley, Peter Trible, and Norah Walker.
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