Latest news with #GrimsbyFarmersMarket
Hamilton Spectator
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Happening In Grimsby expected to draw thousands of people this weekend
More than 30,000 people are expected to visit downtown Grimsby this weekend as Happening In Grimsby returns for three days of food, music, vendors and family-friendly fun. The event starts Thursday at 1 p.m. with Grimsby Farmers Market and runs through to 11 p.m. Saturday. Activities will take place along Main Street between Christie and Ontario streets. 'It's a kickoff to summer and celebrate all we have in town here,' said event chair Simon Duong, also chair of Grimsby Downtown Business Improvement Area , the major sponsor of the event. 'Visitors might not shop (during the event), but if they see a nice boutique shop they may come back and shop another day.' Duong said as many as 35,000 people attended last year's event . The main stage will feature a variety of musical entertainment, starting with Grimsby Idol at 5:30 p.m. Friday. There be a kids zone at nearby Coronation Park on Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities and entertainment for youngsters. Also Saturday, Vendor Alley will be set up on Main Street between Christie and Patton streets, featuring about 70 local artisans and businesses. 'Most of the merchants on the street are going to participate with a tent or a promotion to highlight their business,' Duong said. The three-day event also means road closures to all but emergency vehicles. Happening In Grimsby chair Simon Duong says more than 30,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event that starts with Grimsby Farmers Market on Thursday. Duong said Main Street will be closed 11 a.m. on Thursday to 2 a.m. Sunday and a one-block area of Main between Christie and Patton will be closed 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday to accommodate Vendor Alley. See for event information and showtimes. Ben Vandenberg, owner of Pie in the Sky Farm Market , said the event is good for local businesses. 'It helps support us at the beginning of a very busy season,' Vandenberg said. 'It helps promote all of the downtown.' Lisa Sproston, owner of Farm Gate to Your Plate , said Happening In Grimsby is a great way to promote downtown businesses. 'The sheer amount of people that come into the town is phenomenal,' Sproston said. 'It's a really nice way for people who don't know about us to find out about us.' Happening In Grimsby grew out of The Happening at the Forty (with other iterations including Pioneer Days and The Happening) that dates back more than 40 years. The committee overseeing the event disbanded in 2018, and the event was reborn as Happening In Grimsby the following year.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Happening In Grimsby expected to draw thousands this weekend
More than 30,000 people are expected to visit downtown Grimsby this weekend as Happening In Grimsby returns for three days of food, music, vendors and family-friendly fun. The event kicks off Thursday at 1 p.m. with the Grimsby Farmers Market and runs through to 11 p.m. Saturday. Activities will take place along Main Street between Christie and Ontario streets. 'It's a kick off to summer and celebrate all we have in town here,' said event chair Simon Duong, who is also chair of the Grimsby Downtown Business Improvement Area , the major sponsor of the event. 'Visitors might not shop (during the event), but if they see a nice boutique shop, they may come back and shop another day.' Duong said as many as 35,000 people attended last year's event — and given good weather, similar numbers are expected this year. The main stage will feature a variety of musical entertainment, starting with Grimsby Idol at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Duong said there be a kids zone at nearby Coronation Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities and entertainment for youngsters. Also on Saturday, a Vendor Alley will be set up on Main Street between Christie and Patton streets, featuring about 70 local artisans and businesses. 'Most of the merchants on the street are going to participate with a tent or a promotion to highlight their business,' said Duong said. The three-day event also means road closures to all but emergency vehicles. Happening In Grimsby chair Simon Duong says more than 30,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event starting with the Grimsby Farmers Market on Thursday. Duong noted Main Street will be closed from 11 a.m. on Thursday to 2 a.m. Sunday and a one-block area of Main between Christie and Patton will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday to accommodate Vendor Alley. See for event information and showtimes. Ben Vandenberg, owner of Pie in the Sky Farm Market , noted the event is huge for local businesses. 'It helps support us at the beginning of a very busy season,' Vandenberg said. 'It helps promote all of the downtown.' Lisa Sproston, owner of Farm Gate to Your Plate , said Happening In Grimsby is a great way to promote downtown businesses. 'The sheer amount of people that come into the town is phenomenal,' Sproston said. 'It's a really nice way for people who don't know about us to find out about us.' Happening In Grimsby grew out of The Happening at the Forty (with other iterations including Pioneer Days and The Happening) that dates back more than 40 years. The committee overseeing the event disbanded in 2018, and the event was reborn as said Happening In Grimsby the following year.
Hamilton Spectator
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.
