Minier Farmer's Market season starts Friday

Evening market features unique products and entertainment

[June 04, 2008]  MINIER -- The Minier Farmer's Market will open the 2008 season on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in Veterans Park in downtown Minier. The market will run from 5 to 7 every Friday evening through Sept. 12th, with the exception of the Independence Day holiday on July 4.

The market will feature various local growers with a selection of seasonal vegetables and fruits. The largest vendor for these items will be Meyer's Produce from Manito. In addition, Wettstein Organic Pastures of Eureka will have organic frozen meats -- beef, pork, chicken and lamb -- in a variety of cuts. Other items available will be local honey, herbs, vegetable and flowering plants, and craft items.

A wide variety of great entertainment is scheduled each week. Local artist David Berchtold will headline the opening of the season with his mix of acoustic guitar blues, jazz, country and gospel. He has a large following in central Illinois, so come early and bring a lawn chair to enjoy the evening.

The June 6 market will be co-sponsored by Alpine Village Restaurant as part of the June Fest weekend. The restaurant will serve brats, pork chops and baked goods at the park from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to the events on Friday, Alpine Village will continue the June Fest on Saturday with a hog roast, German buffet and live music, featuring Walt James followed by Comatose Catfish.

This year there will be many different events throughout the summer market season, including children's games and educational activities, a car wash, and homemade ice cream on selected nights. A horseshoe tournament will be ongoing from July 11 through Sept. 12.

Minier businesses and nonprofit organizations have been offered the opportunity to be co-sponsors of the markets. Each week a different business or group will be featured. Some businesses have chosen to sponsor the evening's musical guests, and others will provide food, games and other types of entertainment. Some businesses have instead chosen to make cash contributions in support of the market. The organizers thank all co-sponsors and contributors for their help in making the markets a success.

The market group is also looking for input and ideas. When you come on the first evening, you can fill out a short questionnaire and enter the drawing to win an organic cotton shopping bag.

As it becomes more and more important to eat what is grown locally, the Minier Farmer's Market hopes to help fill this need.

[Text from file received from Bruce Otto]