Birmingham Farmers Market returns for another season of weekly fun

BIRMINGHAM — The 21st season of the Birmingham Farmers Market will open on May 7. Local produce and artisan goods will be sold 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays until Oct. 29.

The Opening Day Celebration will kick off the season with live music, kids activities and more. The market will be located in Public Parking Lot 6, at 660 North Old Woodward Ave. Free street parking will be available for guests to easily get to the market.

Guests can also spend their visit to the market browsing nearby shops, restaurants and Booth Park, all within walking distance.

“Visitors can shop locally grown produce, plants and bouquets, artisan baked goods, and fresh foods from approximately 40 vendors each week at the Birmingham Farmers Market,” Birmingham Shopping District Public Relations Specialist Erika Bassett said.

Approximately 20 new vendors will be joining the Birmingham Farmers Market this year.

“Michigan Maple Farms will offer fresh maple syrup, candy and other maple-themed items,”  Bassett said. “Tau Tea will be serving boba tea, and Unwined Winery, a small local winery, will be offering wine tastings and bottles.”

Anne Brogren, with Farm and Forest, a small farm in Mason, will be joining the market for the sixth year.  Brogren said that while they live near East Lansing, she is familiar with Birmingham, since she was born there.

“Birmingham is a great fit for us because we can bring our vegetables there and we seem to be able to supply enough,”  Brogren said.

Early on in the season, Farm and Forest specializes in lettuce and strawberries. As the season moves along, they will have garlic and onions. In the fall, they will sell ginger, turmeric and hot peppers that they make into chili powder. Farm and Forest follows sustainable practices for their produce.

“We look forward to the return of our bustling outdoor market and welcoming visitors to shop local, listen to live music and gather with friends, family and as a community,” Bassett said.  “We have many special events and wellness activities planned for this season to celebrate local agriculture, wellness and the community. “

In addition to the range of vendors, there will be weekly live music, a kids zone, food trucks and special events.

Second Sundays Fitness will be held May 14, June 11,  July 9 and Aug. 13. On these days, a local fitness vendor will sponsor a fitness activity during the market.

Other special events include Super Farmer Day June 25, the Corn Festival Aug. 6, the Harvest Festival Sept. 10 and the End of Season Celebration Oct. 29.

More information on the Birmingham Farmers Market can be found at ALLINBirmingham.com/FarmersMarket.