Farmers market grows in Orange

The Orange Farmers Market is its own stimulus plan in a way, offering the opportunity to purchase local produce and handmade goods to all who visit it.
The market, which prior to opening in May had only 12 registered vendors, has grown so large that it can't fit in its previous place along Main Street in front of Taylor Park. This may be due to changes made early in the season. Back in April, new market master Donald Jennings and Orange Downtown Alliance Director Jeff Curtis revised the market rules to allow for both permanent and temporary vendors. Now, according to Jennings, the market has 23 vendors registered, with about 16 regulars who sell their goods almost every Saturday and at least half of those also selling at the Wednesday market.
"For the Wednesday market, we had so many vendors that we had to move to the back of [Taylor Park] to fit them in, so we arranged them in a large circle sort of around the fountain. Whereas before, they were right on [Main Street]," Jennings said. "Also, we had to move to the back parking lot on Saturdays because there were too many vendors [for] the circle around the fountain. Now we have space in the parking lot to spread out and accommodate a larger number of vendors."
According to Jennings, the market has a few loyal customers who attend each week, purchasing goods and wares from the local sellers.
“We got a lot of new customers each week but there are a core group of local patrons who have consistently shopped and supported these local farmers and artisans," he said. "We are very grateful for these people. In times when we had very little traffic you can count on a cheerful greeting from these stalwart friends of the market. It's absolutely fantastic how this town supports the market and always has."
Jennings also said that the market garners the attention of passersby and tourists alike.
"We have more people who are visiting as they pass by on their way to a tourist outing, a rural picnic or visiting one of Orange's great antique or specialty shops," he said. "The great thing is the atmosphere we have at the market."
Vendor Tom Curtis is one of several who enjoys the market's atmosphere. Curtis, a master soapmaker and owner of Renaissance Man Soaps in Gordonsville, is in his first year of setting up shop at the market. Under the shade of the trees in Taylor Park, he sells soaps, bath salts and essential oils.
Curtis said he first became interested in the farmers m
arket during a trip to Faulconer Hardware. He said he likes the market for its atmosphere.
"There's no pressure and no politics," he said. "Everyone gets along with everyone else."
According to Jennings, adding to the atmosphere on Saturdays is the occasional musician and a barbecue vendor.
"We sometimes have musicians come to the market and jam," he said. "We also have a barbecue vendor that sets up around 10:30 a.m. and sells until 1 p.m. with great pulled pork, ribs, coleslaw and more; great farmers market food."
Since the market has enjoyed great success on Wednesdays and Saturdays, many vendors are now setting up shop Friday afternoons.
"We have a core group of vendors who are on the street at Taylor Park [on Friday afternoons]," Jennings said. "These vendors are quite happy with the traffic, as much or more than Wednesday. As more vendors join them, we will move in the circle around the fountain like on Wednesdays."
While Curtis and Jennings had hoped to eventually make the Friday market a downtown gathering with beer and music, Jennings said that idea is on hold, for now.
"It's not easy getting musicians to play for free," he said, "but we're working on it."
The farmers market is in operation until Oct. 24 at Taylor Park on West Main Street. The market is officially open Wednesdays from noon until 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. as well as Friday afternoons.
Any vendors interested in participating in the market, or musicians willing to jam, can contact the Orange Downtown Alliance at 672-2540 or Donald Jennings at 661-1242.