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BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Farmers Market will open for its 22nd season of fresh produce, artisan goods and family fun on Sunday, May 5. The market will run 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sundays May 5-Oct. 27.
To kick off the season, an opening day celebration will feature live music, activities for kids and free reusable tote bags.
Each week, the community is invited to gather at Public Parking Lot No. 6, located at 660 N. Old Woodward, to shop the market, and enjoy live music and more activities for the whole family. There will be a kids zone and food trucks every week.
A record-breaking year, with new additions
A record number of vendors will be participating in this year’s market with over 45 local vendors each week. Additionally, this season the Birmingham Farmers Market will feature new special events and activities, and a brand-new logo.
“It’s great to see the community coming out, so much vendor participation and the market continue to grow and flourish,” Birmingham Shopping District Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Erika Bassett said. “We have a wonderful, diverse mix of local vendors, and people really enjoy coming to the market to shop, listen to live music, and spend time together with family and friends and as a community. That’s what we look forward to year after year.”
Some of the new vendors to the market this year include Firefly Farm, Cold Truth Freezery and Sushi Kabar. Many local favorites will be returning, including Farm and Forest, Lily’s Farm and Garden, Uhlianuk Farm and Greenhouses, and Harold’s Italian Ice.
Uhlianuk Farm and Greenhouses has been selling at the Birmingham Farmers Market since the beginning.
“We just love the environment, and the people are all wonderful people to deal with,” Owner George Uhlianuk said. “We come in with specialty items such as specialty herbs, flowers and vegetables, and it’s a good fit for what we bring in.”
Their big opening day item will be the mandevilla hummingbird vine. They will also be selling large heirloom tomato plants “so that people can get a head start on getting the local fresh tomato flavor,” Uhlianuk said.
“We are looking forward to our best year ever, and every year the market gets better and better,” Uhlianuk said.
Special events
Several special events will take place during the farmers market, including Second Sundays on May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8 and Oct. 13. During Second Sundays, local providers will host a fitness or wellness-themed activity for the community visiting the farmers market.
“We are always trying to make connections with the community, and one of the things that we tried to do with the farmers market is offer some wellness education fitness opportunities,” Bassett said.
Fitness activities vary each month, including a community run and yoga.
Other special events include the Strawberry Jam-Boree June 16, Super Farmer Day July 21, the Corn Festival Aug. 11, the Harvest Festival Sept. 15 and the End of Season Celebration Oct. 27.
The Strawberry Jam-Boree is a new event this year and will feature free giveaways, face painting, kids activities, live music and more.
Bassett said the Corn Festival in August is one of the most popular farmers market events, and people can enjoy corn-themed activities, fresh corn and more.
Birmingham Farmers Market sponsors include Bank of Ann Arbor – Birmingham, SMART, Forest and Phoenicia Restaurants, Luxe Bar & Grill and Salvatore Scallopini (Sal’s), Move as a Human, Northstar Concrete Coatings, sweetgreen, Fascination Factory, Pure Green, C&G Newspapers, USA Insulation and All American Gutter Protection.
For more information about the Birmingham Farmers Market, visit ALLINBirmingham.com/FarmersMarket. Updates can be found @BIRMINGHAMFARMERSMARKET on Facebook and @bhamfarmmkt on Instagram.
Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.
