Holiday Farmers Market Freshens Up Williamstown
 The annual Berkshire Grown Holiday Market was held Sunday at Towne Field House; it returns to Wiliamstown on Sunday, Dec. 14, and Great Barrington on Saturday, Dec. 13. See more photos here. |
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The calendar says November, but it felt a little bit like summer inside the Towne Field House at Williams College on Sunday.
More than 50 vendors filled the gym with fresh produce and other homemade and handmade items at the sixth annual Berkshire Grown Holidays Farmers Market. The market was in Great Barrington on Saturday and Williamstown on Sunday in advance of Thanksgiving; next month, it will again be in Great Barrington on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Williamstown on Sunday, Dec. 14.
The markets feature locally grown and produced foods and gifts, plus live music, lunch fare and activities for children, during months when most farmers markets are not open in the region. Admission is free.
Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown, said they reached the maximum capacity in terms of vendors at both markets this weekend.
"Yesterday we drew the most we ever had," Zheutlin said as she surveyed the large crowd browsing through the field house on Sunday.
The market has grown over the years, despite a minor setback last year when snow wreaked havoc with the December markets. Are they successful?
"Take a look," Zheutlin said. "It's fabulous."
Indeed, the field house was filled with happy sounds and wonderful smells as children mixed with senior citizens in surveying the bounty of Berkshire-area products.
"This place is hopping today," said Kate Swift from Cedar Farm in nearby Ghent, N.Y. Swift had tables at both the Great Barrington and Williamstown markets this year, her third participating in the events.
"Berkshire Grown is a great organization," she said. "It's a successful weekend. Looks good!"
Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy, and landscape; its mission is to "Keep farmers farming!" Through events, workshops, promotions, advocacy, and education highlighting locally grown and produced food, Berkshire Grown helps to create a thriving local food economy. For more information or to become a member of the non-profit organization, see berkshiregrown.org or call 413-528-0041.
Tags: Berkshire Grown, farmers market, local produce,
