Auburn Hills Farmers Market Open Thursdays
AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) - The City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, is making plans for a memorable opening day for its 2011 Farmers' Market on Thursday, May 19 at 3:00 pm.
The Market, located in downtown Auburn Hills on the southeast corner of S. Squirrel and Auburn Roads, will launch with a ribbon cutting featuring Auburn Hills Mayor Jim McDonald and other dignitaries, while the Avondale High School pep band energizes the crowd.
For the kids, opening day activities will include free face painting and balloon twisting. For all, the Market will provide a variety of flowers, plants, produce, baked goods, unique artisan products and kitchen services such as knife sharpening.
"The Auburn Hills Farmers Market presents opportunities for healthy eating, promoting local vendors, enjoying music, and focusing on Downtown Auburn Hills as a destination," Mayor McDonald said in a statement. "But to me, its overarching theme is community. The Market supports the community and brings us together. It reinforces all that is good about Auburn Hills."
According to Auburn Hills Market Master Sandy McClure, several new programs are being introduced to this year's market.
This first is a Market Loyalty Program card that will provide patrons with an opportunity to win up to $10 in Market merchandise after visiting the Market and making a purchase on five different weeks.
Another new feature is provided by one of the market's vendors. The Garden Gate is introducing a few openings for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares. A CSA share provides you with a weekly box of the freshest in-season produce, already selected and ready for your pick up.
CSA is a great way for shoppers to know they are getting the best of The Garden Gate's offerings that week without having to pick and choose on their own.
The Market will also hold a weekly drawing to give away a Made in Michigan cookbook that features recipes using ingredients that tend to be plentiful at Michigan farmers' markets.
The following vendors, some new and some returning from last year, have committed for 2011:
- Fusilier Farms - produce, annuals, hanging baskets
- The Garden Gate - organic produce, pork, beef, chicken, eggs
- Patios and Perennials - garden art, perennials
- Auburn Oaks Nursery- perennials, shrubs
- Flowers by Taylor - fresh-cut flower bouquets
- Rheinland Baked Goods - fresh-baked German artisan breads, rolls, pretzels
- The Breadwinner - fresh-baked breads, scones, muffins, OJ, lemonade and iced tea
- Captain John's Smokehouse - smoked fish jerky, meat sticks, summer sausage
- Golden Wheat Bakery - French pastries
- Mumby Pies - fresh-baked pies
- Sweet Delights Bakery - baked goods
- Farmington Soap Works - handmade soaps, bath salts
- Heart & Soul Designs - hand-crafted jewelry
- LG Wood Wares - unique turned and carved wood bowls, boxes, mugs
- Holy Cannoli's - handmade cannoli desserts
- Michigan Fresh Roasted Coffee Company - buy coffee by the pound or cup
- DeMeulenaere Farms - produce
- Ross Farms - homemade jams, salsas, honey
- Wood n' Thread Crafts - bird houses, embroidery items
- Ginn Farms - produce, farm fresh eggs, syrup, Ghana baskets
- Wrigley's Rewards - certified organic dog treats
- George's Cutlery - bring your knives and tools and have them sharpened while you wait
- Faircastle Jewelry Designs
- TJ's Customs - metal art for home and garden
Following the grand opening on May 19, the Farmers' Market will continue each Thursday thereafter until the final date on Thursday, October 20.
The Farmers' Market will run from 3:00 to 7:30 pm for the convenience of residents, students and employees from the Auburn Hills' business community, as well as surrounding municipalities. October hours will run 3:00-6:30 pm.
Vendor space is still available! Vendors interested in participating in the Farmers' Market or local businesses or community groups interested in reserving space in the Community Tent should contact Sandy McClure at 248-504-8102 or smcclure@auburnhills.org; or Stephanie Carroll at 248-364-6802 or scarroll@auburnhills.org. The vendor fee is $20 per week.
For more information, visit www.auburnhills.org.
