New Bloomfield farmers market opening soon

New Bloomfield's annual farmers market, sponsored and run by the New Bloomfield Area Civic Association, will open for the year on Saturday, May 4. The market traditionally runs throughout the summer, and attracts visitors from across Callaway County.

Though it is a small one in comparison to larger cities' markets, the New Bloomfield market attracts a steady stream of visitors each weekend.

According to Jane Hurtt, a member of the Civic Association, "It's a friendly, small town market, and a chance to visit people and make new friends."

This year, in addition to welcoming back past vendors, visitors may also be able to look forward to new vendors, according Hurtt.

"We've had interest and promises from several new vendors," Hurtt said.

Though the organization is welcoming back several familiar faces, organizers are still searching for an anchor vendor -- someone who sells their products every week. Art Rice, president of the Civic Association, said there is still time for an anchor vendor, or any other vendors, to come forward.

"All vendors are welcome," Rice said. "There's a onetime fee of $5.00 to vend [at the market], and someone can come back as many times as they want after that."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.