Published: August 10, 2007 07:25 pm      

Farmers’ Market offers unique twist

Kids’ events, herb demonstration to take place

DANVILLE — Ever wonder what to do with your backyard garden vegetables or fresh produce purchases from the farmers’ market?

Downtown Danville, Inc. and the University of Illinois Extension of Vermilion County have joined forces to hold a Family Day at the Farmers’ Market on Aug. 18.

“We’re teaming with the farmers’ market so it will be right there downtown,” said Maria Sermersheim, program coordinator at the extension office.

The event will run from 7 a.m. to noon and will include herb seasonings to make and take, games and craft activities for children, cookie decorating, face painting, vegetable and fruit tasting, door prizes and more.

“We’re going to be promoting nutrition and cooking with herbs,” Sermersheim said.

“People are going to be able to make their own herb mix to take home,” she said. “We’re going to make homemade salsa, too — red and green.”

The authentic homemade salsa and tortilla chips demonstration starts at 9 a.m. All families are welcome, and all activities are free and open to the public.

Sermersheim said the event will be kid-friendly and offer a variety of craft activities.

“We’ll have cookies the kids can decorate, and we’ll make maracas with beans and clay,” she said. “They’ll have a nice morning out with the kids.”

Local businesses have donated gift baskets and certificates to be given away as door prizes, Sermersheim said.

At the farmers’ market, a wide variety of produce and other wares will be available for purchase from local vendors.

Items include, but are not limited to: peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes, leeks, squash, baked goods, herbs and homemade and handcrafted items.

Downtown Danville’s Farmers’ Market is one of the area’s longest-running markets.

Rachael Dietkus, director of Downtown Danville Inc., said she is excited about the combining events at the farmers’ market.

“I wanted to reach out to the extension office,” she said.

“This is a way to get more people to the market,” Dietkus added. “And it’s expanding on the extension’s community garden program.

“This event will be very kid-oriented, but also adult-oriented,” she said.

Located in the Kresge lot next to the Courthouse Annex, the Downtown Farmers’ Market opened this season on June 9 and will run through Oct. 13.

It is held each Wednesday and Saturday morning starting at 6:30 a.m. and goes until sellout or noon — whichever comes first.

FYI

For more information about Family Day at the Farmers’ Market, contact Rachael Dietkus at Downtown Danville, Inc. at 443-3886.