As the Frankfort Farmers and Artisan Market closes for the outdoor season and prepares for the indoor season, MaryLynn Peter, organizer, presented a donation to the Clinton County Humane Society after fundraising efforts from the shoppers and vendors.
This week, Peter visited the Humane Society to deliver a check worth $221.97 as a donation with funds raised by shoppers and vendors for the last few weeks of the market this year. Last year, the market also raised funds for the Humane Society with a substantial turnout, and Peter intends to continue raising funds for the organization in the future iterations of the outdoor market.
“They’re always asking for help, and this last time in September, they wanted kitten food, and I thought we could do that,” Peter said. “Last year, we also donated to the Humane Society. It’s something we do toward the end of the season. It gives us something to do, and they need it. We were able to help them out this year, vendors and shoppers alike contributed, which just makes everyone feel good.”
Peter initially assessed the Humane Society’s needs and asked the community to bring kitten and cat food to the farmers market for donation, but all of the donors elected to donate funds instead. Cheyenne Taylor, Humane Society Director, commented that the organization recently received a large donation of kitten and cat food, and the funds would allow for the organization to purchase medical supplies for the animals instead.
“We are incredibly thankful,” Taylor said. “I was just explaining to MaryLynn that I’m almost glad that they didn’t get donated food items instead of this because we actually do have multiple medical supplies that we need to purchase, and now we have the money to be able to do that. Thank you to everybody that donated and helped, and we hope to see you on Nov. 25. We are going to bring a couple dogs out.”
Peter expressed that the growth of the market this year was evident with the increasing number of vendors that displayed a booth every Saturday with many vendors appearing two hours early to the market to ensure that they would receive the most ideal positions due to the increasing amount of vendors that were vying for every shopper’s attention.
“We got more new vendors, and I think it’s growing, which I want it to be because I want that entire Veterans Park full,” Peter said. “They were starting at 6:30 or 7 to start setting up. It was a good time to socialize and meet new people.”
The market will appear indoors in November at the Edward Jones Building at the Fairground, which was funded with the aid of donations received for the first few weeks of the market this year. Peter encouraged community members to visit the indoor market to shop locally for Christmas gifts and meet new vendors that elect for the indoor market opposed to the outdoor market.
“Nov. 25 will be Shop Small Saturday and the Saturday after Black Friday,” Peter said. “Everyone’s in the shopping mood. Come get some Christmas gifts. There are all kinds of items you can come get for Christmas. There’s stocking stuffer items. There’s huge gifts like quilts and linens and homemade wood crafts and wreaths and candles.”
Peter commented that the indoor market will continue to host numerous vendors that appeared at the outdoor market, and the main alteration between the two markets is the atmosphere, which she stated was a benefit during the cooler months of the year.
“The weather is going to be perfect inside,” Peter said. “It’s not going to rain on you. It’s not going to snow on you. The wind is not going to blow you over. It’s a controlled environment. We’re going to have food there, and we’re hopefully going to have entertainment.”
Community members are encouraged to shop locally at the market and receive free advice from the Old Coots Tent where “it might be bad advice, but it’s free.” The market does not require a booth fee for vendors, but those selling consumable products must receive a certification from the Clinton County Health Department.
The outdoor Frankfort Farmers and Artisan Market has elected to close for the rest of October due to conflicting events and weather. The market will reopen indoors on Nov. 25 at the Edward Jones Building at the Clinton County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will continue on Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the first Saturdays of January, February, March and April before returning to Veterans Park in May.