Farmers Market Opens Second Season Saturday in Stow

It's growing. 

, the .

Mayor Sara Drew will be there at 9 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to kick off the weekly event until the end of the growing season. The market is from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday rain or shine at the , at 1567 Pilgrim Dr.

Market-goers can look forward to 17 weeks of seasonal produce, breads and fruit, honey, brown eggs, fresh cut and dried flowers, potted plants, homemade soap, natural wool yarn, crafts and more.

On hand for the first week, and three other Saturdays this summer, will be a Summit County Master Gardener to advice on best practices on planting, cultivating and harvesting this region of Ohio’s vegetables, flowers and landscape plants.

Bob Harter, a wood carver from Stow, will demonstrate, for the first time at this market, his carving skills on creating eagles, bears and blue herons out of pine logs.

Gary Aleman and Mike Osman, market co-managers and members of the church, said every week the market will "strive to provide weekly musical entertainment for shoppers."

Expect visits from:

• The Black Squirrel Dulcimer Club
• Bagpipers from the Akron and District Pipe Band
• Johnny and the Apple Stompers
• Along with other various area volunteer musicians

Local non-profits will also be invited to at no charge to display their groups activities such as Lifebanc and the .

Back this year are two festivals during market hours starting with the a Corn Fest on Aug. 18 and the Apple/Pumpkin Fest on the last Saturday of the market on Oct. 6.

New to the market this year is a Children’s Activity Tent called Kid's Patch, which will provide a destination to families with toddlers up to 12-years-old with weekly scavenger hunts, make it and take it craft projects, and storytelling sessions.

(Silly editor's note: I really like that it's called Kid's PATCH.)

The not-for-profit market is always looking for volunteers to set up the market, workw ith vendors, the Kid's Patch activities and to tear down.

Vendors, growers, volunteers, sponsors and community organizations wishing to help sponsor or participate can call the Stow Community United Church of Christ at 330-688-8927 or email at stowucc@yahoo.com for an application.