02-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Nice to be outdoors': Grimsby Farmers Market returns this week
For Beth Ashton, having a booth at
Grimsby Farmers Market
is a welcome change from preparing meals in her restaurant.
'It's nice to be outdoors,' said the owner of
August Restaurant
in Beamsville. She will be baking pizza and offering other baked goods when the 18th annual market returns on Thursday. 'I actually get to talk to my customers, which as a chef doesn't happen very often.'
This will be Ashton's ninth year at the popular market.
'We have great, loyal customers,' Ashton said.
Main Street East along the market area will be closed to all but emergency vehicles, from 1 to 8 p.m., each Thursday to allow for market set up and take down.
The market runs every Thursday, from 3 to 7 p.m., until Oct. 9.
Market steering committee chair Michelle Seaborn said this year's market features 37 food and farm vendors, two more than last year and includes 21 area growers.
'I spent the whole (past) weekend putting the last touches on everything,' said Seaborn, who is a Grimsby regional councillor and co-owns a local farm.
Seaborn said more special events are slated for the market and include a July 31 Teddy Bear Picnic. Youngsters are encouraged to bring their bears and enjoy a variety of activities.
Carolyne Seibert, Grimsby organic farmer, and ice cream maker Simon Pellegrino look forward to the return of the Grimsby Farmers Market on Thursday.
Carolyne Seibert from
9 Acres Organic Farm
on Ridge Road East is back at the market for a third year.
'I love the fact that this is my community,' Seibert said. 'It's in my backyard and the customers are so loyal.'
New to the market this year, Seibert noted, are bingo cards that feature the names of the vendors.
'When people make a purchase from a vendor, they get a stamp on their bingo card and based on the (required) combination of different stamps, they'll get their name entered in a draw to win a gift basket worth over $500,' Seibert said.
The draw is on Oct. 2.
Hopefully, Mother Nature co-operates.
'We need the hot weather, we need people to want ice cream and sorbet,' said Grimsby ice cream maker Simon Pellegrino. His
Simon Says Ice Cream
operation returns to the market for a fourth consecutive year.
This year's market will not be affected by the town's $9-million
Downtown Reimagined
project. The water main and sewer work, along with road and streetscape upgrades, is not expected to begin until next year.
