Nazareth's Farmers Market Returns Saturday

Nazareth’s farmers market will return to Center Square for a third straight year starting Saturday.

Beginning Saturday, area residents will have their pick of local, fresh crops and local, fresh-baked goods and food on site from now through mid-October, said Kevin Donahoe, a member of the Nazareth Economic Development Commission (NEDC). He is also the owner of Nazareth Floral Designs at Donahoe Farms.

The farmers market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday.

This year, Donahoe plans to have more people at the farmers market making food besides selling items.

Musical entertainment will be provided every Saturday by the Nazareth Center for the Arts.

"All the farms are returning," Donahoe said. "It's a well-attended market. With music playing and the vendors making food, more people will be hanging out and it will be more of an attraction."

The vendor fee remains $10, money that is funneled back to the NEDC and to help keep the market afloat.

Donahoe knows there's plenty of competition.

"The Easton Farmers' Market is a big one," he said. "But I think we have our own niche. And you don't have to do parking three blocks away."

He also says the farmers market has to battle it out with local events for residents' attention.

Donahoe said he didn't open last weekend because of BikeFest and hopes to draw may people with the upcoming Nazareth Days and Martin on Main Street this summer.

"Hopefully they can help us out and keep people downtown," he said.

Nazareth’s farmers market has its own Facebook page. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/NazarethFarmersMarketOnTheSquare

For more information on becoming a vendor, contact Donahoe at (610) 746-9998.

Meanwhile, The Nazareth-Bath Area Chamber of Commerce is offering free space to any local farmers willing to participate in the 6th Annual Business Showcase at Steel Stacks in Bethlehem on May 30. The event will have a farmers market.