Residents, businesses enjoy open-air event
Aside from a small sign asking the unvaccinated to wear a mask, it was almost as if COVID-19 never existed as smiling shoppers strolled through the Butler City Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.
The feeling of freedom was palpable at the weekly summertime event, where children, the elderly and residents of all ages in between perused the dozen or so booths set up in the airy building at the intersection of South Chestnut and Shore streets.
Various vendors at the market, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Saturday from May to October, offered a multitude of fresh, local produce, baked goods, Greek food, jellies, wine, kids' crafts, spices, mixes and kitchen accessories, art, brooms and lamb meat.
John and Maureen Mossman of Butler rode their bicycles to the Farmer's Market to peruse the produce, wine and other offerings.
“The Greek food is excellent,” John said, “and it brings the community together and supports local businesses.”He wishes more people would shop the Farmer's Market and attend other offerings in the city.“This is the kind of stuff that towns like Butler are made of,” John said. “Too many of our residents don't take advantage of what we have and come to these events.”Maureen said the couple has shopped the Farmer's Market for years, and came Saturday for the first time since 2019.“It looks better than in years past,” she said. “There are new vendors. People who haven't been here for a while need to come back.”George and Shirley Marshall drove from their home in Penn Township to look over the produce being sold by local growers.“Tomatoes and strawberries, mainly,” Shirley said.The couple likes to support local farmers when they can, and George enjoys the peaceful, friendly atmosphere at the Farmer's Market.“It puts you at ease,” he said.Shirley minced no words when asked how it feels to hop in the car and go out somewhere after the quarantining involved in the coronavirus pandemic.“Ah, it feels wonderful,” she said.Bev Evans of Summit Township agreed.“I'm comfortable, but I'm vaccinated,” Evans said. “I am loving getting out of the house.”
She said the Farmer's Market is important because it allows locals to buy freshly grown food at good prices.Evans was glad to see so many farmers and businesses at the market.“I realize times are tough, and I'm glad to see they persevered,” she said. “It's nice to see people out doing things.Evans carried a reusable bag filled with fruits and vegetables she had purchased.“But of course the bakeries tend to get me every time,” she said.Dorothy Calvert of Butler brought her two young children, Willow and Lennox, to the Farmer's Market Saturday as she has many times in the past.“I like coming and seeing what everyone has, and it's nice to come to one place and get all of your vegetables and sweets and see what's going on,” Calvert said.She said her son and daughter enjoy the Farmer's Market too.“It's cool for the kids to see the community coming together and supporting local (businesses),” Calvert said.The notes played by guitarist Zach Rovito wafted gently through the Farmer's Market building as customers shopped and chatted.Rovito has been providing music at the event each Saturday for many years, and coordinates other musicians to play there as well.“It's important to highlight all local talent around here and boost our community from every angle,” Rovito said as he prepared to perform a southern rock tune.Bill Criley volunteered at the Lions Club booth Saturday, where he sold corn brooms, trash bags, dust pans, cleaning cloths, firestarters from The Arc, and raffle tickets.He said the Farmers Market customers are friendlier than those of large craft fairs, who don't even make eye contact with vendors.“Here, people say 'Hello' and at least look at the items,” Criley said.His only lament was his booth's placement opposite the long table of aromatic Greek lunches and pastries.“That's not good for my wallet or my waist,” Criley said.
