Vendors wanted for new farmer s market
Staff reporter
A sense of community and maintaining community spirit are reasons enough for sisters Sheryl Lehr and Joni Calam to spearhead efforts for a local farmer's market.
Lehr said she was approached by a member of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce to coordinate a farmer's market and has taken the task to heart.
"The main goal is to bring people to downtown," said Lehr. Hillsboro Farmer's Market is planned for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays beginning May 4 at the open lots where the former Vogt's grocery store was located at the corner of Grand and Washington streets, Hillsboro.
The sisters want local and area residents to bring lawn chairs and spend the evening in downtown Hillsboro, socializing and sampling the wares.
"Some businesses are open Thursday evenings," she said, "and hopefully this will improve their business and encourage others to be open."
Lehr asked Calam to assist her with the coordination and have moved forward with plans.
Vendors are welcome to participate, said the two, but must meet the criteria.
"Items must be homegrown or homemade," said Lehr.
"We're hoping this will become an outlet for people who do crafts as a hobby or a source of income," said Calam. Children also are welcome to participate.
Vendors are asked to contact one of the women for more information because there may be specific compliance issues.
The state spells out what vendors, particularly food vendors, can and cannot do, and the women want to make sure the consumer is protected.
"Compliance issues can be a challenge," said Lehr, "but once you've addressed them, you're done."
The pair don't consider this a competition with other area farmer's markets, but another outlet for people to sell and buy goods.
Homegrown foods, homemade crafts, baked goods, live music, and original art work are among the items being sought.
Originally from Oregon, the women moved to Hillsboro to experience small town, Midwest life.
Calam moved to Hillsboro in 1986. She and her husband moved away in 1995 and returned in 2001. Lehr moved to Hillsboro in 2003 because of her sister. Both appreciate the sense of community and interaction they've experienced in Hillsboro.
Now they feel their place in the community is to help preserve what Hillsboro offers.
A meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hillsboro City Hall, Grand and Washington, for vendors interested in participating.
Contact Lehr at (620) 947-0225 or Calam at (620) 947-0270 for more information.
A fee of $5 per week or $15 per month per vendor will be collected. Funds will be used to promote the weekly market.
