Shelburne Farmer Market wraps up for season

September 23, 2021 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Shelburne Farmer’s Market officially wrapped for the summer season last
Thursday (Sept. 16).

“It’s been a fantastic season, we’ve had about 20 to 25 vendors each date, and a lot of folks have come out here and supported the market. We’re really grateful for that,” said Alexandra Georgie, a volunteer organizer for the market.

The Shelburne Farmer’s Market kicked off the 2021 season in early June, with vendors from across Dufferin County including farmers and artisans taking part. The market, which was held every third week at Owen Sound Street and First Ave., returned after a small group of local volunteer banded together to revive it after its cancellation in 2020.

Diedra Cruwys is the owner of The Weehomestead, a booth at the market which sells honey as well pure beeswax candles, wax melts and homemade soaps, and 2021 marked her first time as a vendor at the Shelburne Farmer’s Market.

“Being that it was my first time, I think I had a fantastic year. I really liked this market because it’s my local market, and I think they’ve done a fantastic job keeping things safe and moving,” said Cruwys.

Elizabeth Glenday, a modern crochet designer who makes items for active and eco conscious people with her businesses BusyLizzy, was also a first time vendor at the local market.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but it was really good. I loved that there was a nice combination of families coming out and singles and couples and young people and older people, it was just so lovely. My expectations were met and exceeded,” said Glenday.

With a sunny day to mark the end of the season, around 200 farmer’s market goers visited the local event within the first hour.

Robyn Hagyard is a former vendor with the Shelburne Farmer’s Market, and told the Free Press throughout the summer she regularly attended the market with
her children.

“There’s a booth for everyone. They just went and got a cupcake, my daughter gets all her little things like a new key chain or last time it was earrings, and we get our dinner from the falafel place, so it’s perfect,” said Hagyard.

While the market was held every third week, market goers told the Free Press they’d like to see the market on a more regular basis.

“I would have liked to see it more often, but they’ve got beautiful products here,” said local resident, Liz Harris. “It has the potential for more growth.”

Although the Farmer’s market is closing for the season, Georgie says the group is hoping to bring it back for the 2022 season.

Georgie said the committee that organized this year’s market will be approaching both the local BIA and Shelburne Town Council in hopes of having an individual hired to manage the market.

“This year was only every three weeks because it was volunteer based, but if we can find someone in a hired position, we’ll hopefully be able to do it weekly again from the 2022 season,” said Georgie.