Downtown Farmers Market Opens In Pittsfield
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Market Manager Jess Conzo, Mayor Daniel Bianchi and Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Executive Director Pamela Tobin cut the ribbon on the farmers market Saturday morning. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Farmers Markets returned to the city Saturday morning with dozens of vendors, entertainment and educational workshops.
Organizers cut the ribbon on the downtown market across from the Common at 9 a.m., kicking off a weekly market.
Despite the some sprinkling of rain, the market saw a strong turnout for the first of the season, which will be held every Saturday until Oct. 26.
The market is being managed by Alchemy Initiative in collaboration with Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and the city.
"We are so excited for opening day. This has been a labor of love," Jess Conzo, from the Alchemy Initiative and the market manager.
The market has been in the making for nearly five months. Both Alchemy and Pittsfield, Inc. wanted to organize one after one being held in Allendale closed. Pittsfield Inc. approached the city in the winter and later the city gave $10,000 in seed money to get it going.
"Every vibrant community has a good farmers market," Mayor Daniel Bianchi said. "It's nice to have something in the heart of the city."
Alchemy was brought in to help manage and a steering committee formed in late December. After meeting with farmers and conducting surveys, the committee settled on the municipal parking lot across from the Common because of accessibility, parking and location.
Pamela Tobin, executive director of Pittsfield Inc., said holding the event downtown will help support the North Street businesses because people can attend the market and then walk to there.
"Anytime you can bring people downtown on a Saturday morning is fantastic," Tobin said, adding that the vendors come from all over the region so new people get to visit.
The farmer will feature 30 to 35 vendors throughout the summer but they won't always be the same. There are vendors for various seasons. Additionally, Cultural Pittsfield coordinated entertainment and Saturday featured musicians and magicians.
Educational groups will be providing workshops on various farming techniques. Bianchi hopes that the vendors help "raise conscienceness about eating healthy."
"It's important to show the children the need to eat properly," Bianchi said.
The market runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
