by Lisa Schauer
Fair weather greeted visitors to the 22nd annual opening day for the Berkeley Springs Farmers Market on Sunday, April 7.
Fourteen vendors were set up under colorful tents with menus and displays of locally grown items ranging from pork, beef, chicken, and lamb to mushrooms, goat cheese, honey, apples, squash, and lettuce.
Pies, jams, and cupcakes, along with flowers, plants, herbs, oils, and lotions rounded out the selection of locally produced goods for sale along Fairfax Street and in the courthouse parking lot.
The WVU Extension Service was handing out eclipse glasses near the entrance. Live music was provided by Black Cat Music Cooperative.
Morgan County Master Gardeners, a mainstay of the farmers market, had giveaways and gardening tips for the public.
Laura Glascock, with husband Mark, was at the very first opening of the Berkeley Springs Farmers Market in 2002.
“We were the only ones here, aside from Mrs. Wilkens. She sold jams, jellies, and homemade noodles,” Laura recalled.
Glascock’s Produce continues to be the anchor stall at the market after 22 years. Labor Day weekend is their busiest time of the season every year, according to Glascock.
Coming up on Mother’s Day, Glascock’s Produce is offering a free paint-a-pot for mom activity at the farmers market.
New this year is Simply Hydro Harvest of Bunker Hill, W.Va. with an array of micro-greens, radishes, peas shoots, and sunflowers, all considered superfoods for their powerful nutritional punch.
“We like the small-town atmosphere here,” said David Danzeisen with wife, Wendy, owners of Simply Hydro Harvest.
Also making their first appearance at the farmers market was Hobo’s Donuts, cooking up breakfast sandwiches and selling doughnuts from a tent in the parking lot.
Berkeley Springs Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. until Thanksgiving.
Not only are EBT cards accepted, but the farmers market will also double the amount available for purchase with extra tokens.