By Brenda Erdahl
Makers and Growers second season looks to be bigger than the first. Sixty-three vendors have committed to the opening market on Sunday, May 19, which already exceeds last year’s biggest turnout by 16 booths.
Like last year, the Makers and Growers Market will take place one Sunday out of every month, May through October in downtown Maple Lake. Fine artisans and local growers will set up their wares under tents lined back-to-back down Birch Avenue from Pagel Law to Star Street starting at 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
In addition to the vendors there will be live music at every event, plus a variety of food trucks for hungry shoppers to choose from. On May 19th, Everett Smithson will be the featured performer and food trucks will include The Hungry Chicken, Tacopolis, Spooky Brew, Ice Cream Machine, Brick Oven Pizza, Nautical Bowls and The Butchery with their famous pork chops, hot dogs and hamburgers.
The Makers and Growers committee was “beyond excited” over last year’s success and they are hopeful for a great turnout again this year, committee member Denise Blizil said.
“We are hoping for a great turn out again this year, weather plays a huge role in that, but it is a great way for the community to reconnect after being indoors all winter,” she said.
Visitors can expect to see a lot of returning vendors who were impressed by last year’s event plus 22 new faces in May. Many are local artists and growers who said they loved the people of Maple Lake, the fact that the market is on a Sunday and that there is no charge to participate.
The fact that the committee does not charge for vendors to participate is a huge competitive advantage and the event wouldn’t be as large as it is without that, Blizil said.
She credited the City of Maple Lake, the Maple Lake Chamber of Commerce and area businesses whose generous donations have made the Makers and Growers Market possible. Thanks to them, the market should have a wide variety of goods available again this year. In May, shoppers can look forward to woodworking items, jewelry, breads, sweets, dog treats, sculptures, Dot artwork, fresh farm eggs, stained glass, jams, paintings, Ertels Butt Cream, veggies, flowers, photography, fresh cut meats, syrup, honey and much more.
The event is free to vendors and shoppers, but the committee asks all to consider making a free will donation at the registration desk to keep the event alive and successful.
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