Coshocton Farmers Market moves to Skip's Landing
COSHOCTON − The Coshocton Farmers Market is moving to a new location this year that is in development as a new recreational spot for Coshocton County residents.
The first market of the year will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 6 at Skip's Landing, 22375 County Road 1A. The farmers market was previously in and around the Coshocton Court Square. The market runs until the end of October.
A dedication for Skip's Landing with Coshocton County Commissioners will be held at 5 p.m. May 2.
The project dates back to February 2020 when the widow of Charles "Skip" Ferrell offered the land for development to the City of Coshocton. City officials then approached commissioners. Commissioner Dane Shryock said the family wanted it developed into green space. It features a new parking lot, bicycle rack, benches, picnic tables and trash cans with more to come. Administrator Mary Beck said they recently added security cameras and Wi-Fi access.
She said they've talked with organizers about the market being more focused on farm-to-table elements than crafts.
"It's our first year, so we'll see how it goes," Beck said. "The farmers market I think will be really nice down there."
Kacie Powers, market manager, said they have about 30 vendors signed up for the year, which is about average for them and not every vendor sets up every week. Posts on what vendors will be present each week are made on the farmers market's Facebook and Instagram pages.
Powers said approximately 10 of the vendors are produce vendors and 12 are cottage food vendors with some doing both. More than 11 are artisan vendors, with some bringing produce and baked goods too. Some specific items available include honey, chicken, fresh cut flowers, mini-sweet breads, woodworking items, flowers for planting and pie. Powers said wine vendors offering samples is a possibility as well. Back said the farmers market was having some conflicts with Saturday events in downtown, leading to the move. While vendors will be in the parking lot this year, it's hoped they will be in a pavilion by next spring if grant funding or private donations come through. Vendors would be able to back up to the pavilion for loading and unloading and it would provide a shield from the sun and rain.
While it won't be as elaborate, Beck said they want something similar to the Newark Farmers Market. They want it to be 40-feet by 140-feet with vendor spots every 10 feet, for about 28 vendors spots. Additional vendors could setup outside the pavilion.
"The end goal is to have our own permanent space right next to Skip's Landing. This year is a transition year, so we will be using the parking area to set up. Our own permanent space opens up a lot of new things for the market to offer," Powers said. "In the end it will be more convenient for vendors to set up and customers to park."
Beck said they also want to add more picnic tables with coverings and possibly a dog park at Skip's Landing, that could also help to attract more people to the farmers market.
"Our problem is funding. Everything we want to do costs money," Beck said. "We need more private partnerships of someone wanting to do something. We would love for someone to call us and say, 'We'd like to do this down there.'"
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton Farmers Market moves to Skip's Landing
