By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — A sure sign that summer is just around the corner, the annual Community Market officially opened May 25 in Houlton’s downtown.
The event got off to a soggy start as the area was pelted with a steady dose of rain, with only a handful of vendors braving the elements. The following Saturday, the weather was much more cooperative, drawing more vendors and patrons to the downtown. This past Saturday, heavy rain kept vendors from opening.
The open-air market began in 2009 with five original vendors, according to Jane Torres, director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. What started out as just a small group putting up tables in Monument Park — next to the Cary Library — has grown into a group of 27 vendors.
Houlton’s Farmer’s Market relocated to Market Square a couple of years ago and has seen interest skyrocket since.
“The original group first got together and we thought ‘Everyone else does Farmer’s Markets, why can’t we?’” Torres said.
The cost for vendor space is $50 for the summer or vendors can do a one-time booth for $20. The only requirement is that participants must grow or make the products they are selling.
“We want the public to know that everything sold at our market is made by these people.”
With an emphasis on local, among the many types of products available on any given weekend are goat’s milk and cheese, salsa, vegetables, hand-knit crafts, homemade soap and chocolate dipped pretzels.
Robert Lawless serves as “Market Master” for the event, said Torres. Lawless is co-owner of the “Took A Leap” farm that produces cheese products made from goat’s milk and regularly sells out of his product in the first hour that the market is open, Torres said.
Because there is a limited amount of space in the center aisle of downtown Houlton, Torres said motorists should be aware that there might be times when vendors make a double row of booths. To do this, a portion of the center parking spaces downtown will be closed off for vehicles.
“When we first wanted to go to the center of town, the businesses there were not in favor of it,” Torres said. “An informal study was done and it revealed there was plenty of parking space available for both the Farmer’s Market and the regular businesses.”
The Community Market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
