Farmers’ Market to set up shop in Campbell Park

More than 8,000 farmers’ markets are in operation across the United States and that includes the one that occurs every summer in the village of Coal City.
According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois ranks third in the nation for the number of farmers’ markets mix of community and roadside markets where consumers can purchase locally sourced products and unique items directly from the producer.
Coal City’s Market Fresh on Broadway was established in summer 2016. The concept to provide area residents with a location to access locally sourced produce including tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn and cabbage, as well as unique and homecrafted items and products to promote healthy living.
A variety of vendors have participated over the past five summers, and the list of participants slated for summer 2021 is growing.
There is no fee to participate in the Coal City market. The village provides each vendor with a space in Campbell Memorial Park during scheduled market days.
Seven vendors currently intend to participate in this year’s markets however, the more vendors the better and thus the village continues to register participants and encourages anyone with an interest to participate to contact Linda Sula at Coal City village hall for an application. She can be reached weekdays at 815-518-3051 or by e-mail to lsula@coalcity-il.gov.
The five scheduled markets for 2021 will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon beginning July 31 and continuing Aug. 14 and 28 and Sept. 11 and 25.
Vendors currently scheduled to participate are:
• Wills Sweet Corn—A local favorite grown by Mark Wills and Trevor McIntire. The sweet corn booth is always busy during the markets. Grown on the family’s Coal City farm, the corn will be available at the markets as long as supply allows. The Wills booth will also offer locally grown apples this season.
• Perkins Farms—Dan Perkins knows how to grow vegetables and his Custer Park farm is filled with favorites from bright red tomatoes and big green peppers to a variety of squashes, egg plant, cucumbers and melons. The list of produce grown at the farm is endless and those fresh picked items make their way to the Saturday morning markets. Jams, jellies and honey are often included.
• Nettle Creek Lavender Farm—Maggie Smith will share her lavender harvest during the market, including fresh and dried lavender, sprays and lotions. The farm, located in Morris, also has an abundance of colorful flowers.
• Albo Acres—The Newark, IL based vendor has been a part of Market Fresh on Broadway for several seasons. They offer alpaca fiber, yarn and a variety of items made from alpaca including hats, scarves, mittens, dryer balls, shoe inserts, purses and animal figures including, but not limited to, the alpaca and teddy bears.
• Welcome Home Craft Co.—The Morris based business will bring its handmade gnome crafts to the market. The decor is created from yarn and will be available to take home for placement in a tier tray, on a shelf or just about anywhere a gnome can go.
• Jo S. Bows and Sews—As the name implies there are bows and they come in styles for humans and canines. The Bourbonnais, IL based business also offers scrunchies and stylish headbands and those for babies and fitness. Additionally, Bows and Sews sells a variety of wreaths, centerpieces, blankets and pillows.