Blue Back Square hosting new farmers’ market starting on Father’s Day

Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant
·2 min read

A West Hartford couple with a passion for locally grown produce is bringing a new farmers’ market to Blue Back Square, opening on Father’s Day, June 19, and running every Sunday from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. through Oct. 23 in the town hall parking lot at 50 S. Main St.

“As both foodies and community supporters, we always seek out and prefer to purchase locally sourced produce and products – they simply taste better and last longer,” said Mary Collins, co-manager of Blue Back Farmers’ Market, in a press release. “West Hartford is the perfect access point for Certified Connecticut Grown farmers and other vendors since the town is literally located in the middle of the state.”

Collins, who founded the market with her husband, Scott Franklin, says “many of us have felt ‘closed for the season’ since the start of the pandemic. What better time to re-open ourselves and our community life?”

The market’s 20 vendors will include organic and conventionally grown foods from such farms as Barden Farm of New Hartford, Clatter Ridge and Sub Edge in Farmington, George Hall Farm of Simsbury, and Sweet Acre of Lebanon and Lyric Hill of Granby. Specialty vendors selling everything from linens to micro greens will rotate in each week to create a variety, Collins and Franklin said.

Each Sunday will also feature live music and other entertainment, such as art demos; programs on composting and recycling; appearances by chefs, nutritionists and authors; story-sharing opportunities for veterans and seniors; a pet-friendly event in August.

Jim Lenn will perform acoustic music on opening day. Bill Benson will perform on June 26. Jeff Blaney will perform on July 3. For updates on events and a full list of vendors, visit bluebackfarmersmarket.org.

West Hartford is home to another farmers market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corners of the corner of LaSalle and Arapahoe roads. Vendors and more information at whfarmersmarket.com.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.