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April 25, 2008

Williamsburg Farmers Market opens sixth season in May

The Williamsburg Farmers Market opens its sixth season 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 3 in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square. The first farmers market of the season will feature Chef Charlie Little of Berret’s Seafood Restaurant. Musician Tim Seaman will provide the entertainment. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions.

Farmers, watermen, growers and bakers from 26 counties attend the farmers market. The wide varieties of products they supply attract more than 1,300 customers weekly from Greater Williamsburg, Northern Virginia and Virginia Beach.

“Customers attend with their coolers and ice packs to carry home seafood, bison, cheese and cut flowers,” said market manager Libbey Oliver. “Owners of timeshares return regularly on their visits to town. Guests from other states pick up products on their way out of town or contact vendors to ship to them after returning home. Customers often order ahead to procure quick-to-sell-out produce such as hydroponic vegetables, special cuts of meat and large quantities of cucumbers for pickling.”

The 2008 season features:

  • May 10. A Thyme to Plant will give the chef demonstration. Flute Frenzy will perform.
  • May 17. Strawberry Jammin’ is a festival held at the height of strawberry season that will include drawings for gifts from Merchants Square shops with the grand prize being a gift certificate from the Merchants Square Association. A chef demonstration will be provided by Renny Parziale. Music will be provided by Little’s Big Jazz Band. Williamsburg Climate Action Network will be on hand.
  • May 24. For Memorial Day weekend, master gardeners will discuss growing vegetables. Tom Power Jr. of the Fat Canary is the guest chef. Musical performers will be Bagels & Fraylox.
  • May 31. Rhys Lewis, executive chef of the Williamsburg Lodge, is the guest chef. The Delvers are the musical guests. The Williamsburg Heritage Humane Society will be in attendance.
  • June 7. Children’s Day. Brook Fitchett of the Williamsburg Inn will be the guest chef. Master gardeners will give tips on gardening with children. Corny Sue will be on hand for face painting.
  • June 14. Herb Day. Kevin Early of Hospitality House will be the featured chef. Dan and Stuart Jackson will provide the music. The City of Williamsburg will be on hand to discuss recycling.
  • June 21. The Blue Talon Bistro will provide the guest chef. Master gardeners will be on hand to discuss water and gardening. Kindred Spirits will provide music.
  • July 5. Sixth anniversary of the Williamsburg Farmers Market. There will be a chef demonstration from the Virginia Chefs Association. Master gardeners will present “Incredible Edibles.” The Delvers will provide musical entertainment.
  • Aug. 2. Jason Denison, chef of the Sentara Regional Medical Center, will be the featured chef. Tim Seaman will provide music.
  • Aug. 30. For Labor Day Weekend, the guest chef demonstration will be provided by Daniel Abid of Le Yaca. Orion will provide music.
  • Oct. 4. Tony Rizzo of Two Rivers Country Club will provide the chef demonstration. Music is provided by Brian and Mary Lewis.

    The Williamsburg Farmers Market Web site lists all of the chef demonstrations, music and exhibits. Chef demonstrations include: Jean Monaco, Ukrop’s Super Markets, Sept. 6; Corner Pocket, Sept. 13; Dudley’s Farmhouse Grille, Sept. 20; Custom Culinary Connection, Sept. 27; and Brook Fitchett, Williamsburg Inn, Oct. 11.

    Musical entertainment includes: Ardie Boggs, June 28; Runaway String Band, July 12; Stephen Christoff, Aug. 9; Narissa Bond, Aug. 16; and Poisoned Dwarf, Aug. 23.

    The regular season of farmers markets continues through Oct. 25.

    The Williamsburg Farmers Market was established for growers and producers of Eastern Virginia to sell fresh seasonal food and farm products directly to the residents and guests in the Greater Williamsburg area.

    Parking is available at the Prince George Street garage for $1 an hour. The Francis Street parking lot will continue to be free on Saturdays until noon. All other lots are posted as one-hour or two-hour parking.

    The founding sponsors of the Williamsburg Farmers Market include The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Merchants Square Association and the City of Williamsburg. Additional sponsors for 2008 are: the Riverside Hospital System with marketing support; Towne Bank, sponsors of the Chef’s Tent; and Ukrop’s Super Markets, which supports musical entertainment.

    For a complete list of vendors and events, visit www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com or contact Libbey Oliver at loliver@williamsburgva.gov.

    Media Contact:
    Penna Rogers
    (757) 220-7121



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