Farmers market season arrives this weekend in Livingston County: Here's where to go

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Farmers markets in and around Livingston County are beginning to open for the season. Vendors are preparing to sell flowers, produce and hand-crafted products.

Several markets open for the season this weekend, and more will open later this month or in June.

Produce, plants and artisan goods near the Mill Pond

Monee Phipps, who manages the Brighton Farmers' Market, said about 45 vendors are expected in early spring.

Brighton's market opens for the season Saturday, May 6, and runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through October in the city's municipal parking lot next to Brighton City Hall, at 200 N. First Street near the Mill Pond.

Phipps said, when it comes to spring produce, May mostly brings lettuces and greens, root vegetables like turnips, and produce that keeps over the winter.

"You might see some fall-stable apples, onions, and, of course, starter plants you can plant yourself," she said.

Phipps said the market will have a variety of baked goods this season, from donuts to bread. Gluten-free bakery Green Heart Holistic will be a new vendor this season. The market will also feature artisans, including custom furniture, candles, and other wares, as well as sweets, from freeze-dried candy to fudge.

They've also lined up live musical acts, including some "blooming artists," Phipps said.

Downtown Brighton is currently under construction, as the city revamps the streetscape and Mill Pond Park, and narrows a portion of Main Street. Phipps said she hopes the market will get more people downtown.

"People will find a way to get downtown when they want to come see the farmers market. They just have to drive slower and plan on a little more time for parking," she said.

Sunday market near historic courthouse

On Sundays in downtown Howell, two streets become a bustling market for farmers and artisans.

The Howell Sunday Farmers' Market opens for the season Sunday and runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays through October 29 on State and Clinton, adjacent to the historic Livingston County Courthouse at 200 E. Grand River Ave.

Howell's market features locally grown produce, bedding plants, flowers, homemade goods, crafts, food vendors and more.

"At this point, we have at least a dozen new vendors and many new daily vendors, which will give the market a different flavor each week," said market manager Colleen Monroe.

Monroe said new vendors this season include a bakery with donuts, new artisans and a microgreens farmer. She said returning participants include a cement vendor with garden items and food vendors, including Captain's Wööd Fired Pies.

More: Downtown improvement project would include pavilion, seasonal ice rink in Howell

"We'll have some of our farmers joining us right off with things like lettuce and eggs. We do have one farmer who's been growing tomatoes in a hoop house and will have cherry tomatoes early. We'll also have hanging baskets, flowers and trees," she said.

In future seasons, if the city's plan to redevelop the Howell Depot Lot and a portion of Walnut Street comes to fruition, a 12,800-square-foot pavilion for outdoor markets and special events could offer another potential venue for the market.

The city is applying for a Community Development Block Grant and Public Gathering Spaces Grant for the project, which would also include a seasonal ice rink, a splash pad, an above-ground firepit, public seating and parking.

"It will be such a wonderful addition to the downtown area," Monroe said. "There was mention of the market at the (city council) meeting but we're still a while away from that, so I'm sure that discussions will become more concrete as the project nears completion."

Farmers, vendors and flea market finds

Hartland's market also features flea market and garage sale vendors each week.

The Hartland Farmers Market opens for the season Saturday, May 13, and runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through mid-October in the Rural King parking lot off Blaine Road, at 10400 Highland Road/M-59 in Hartland.

The market features a variety of local produce, meat, flowers, artisan wares and nonprofit organizations.

"We have 28 booths and (they'll all) be full on opening day," said market manager Kathie Horning. "We've had a thriving market for the past few years and continue to get new vendors reaching out to participate. Many weeks, we have a waiting list for people who'd like to have a spot."

Markets just outside Livingston

Several farmers markets outside the county are worth the short drive, including those in Washtenaw, Oakland and Genesee counties.

The Dexter Farmers Market will open for the season Saturday, May 6, and run 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through October, at 3233 Alpine in Dexter. The market will also run 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays from June through September.

The Chelsea Farmers Market opens for the season Saturday, May 6, and runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through October at Palmer Commons, 304 S. Main Street in Chelsea. The market also runs 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays at Chelsea State Bank, 1010 S. Main Street in Chelsea.

The South Lyon Farmers and Artisans Market opens for the season Saturday, May 6, and runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through October at 110 W. Liberty Street in South Lyon.

The Milford Farmers' Market opens for the season May 11 and runs 3-7 p.m. Thursdays through October on E. Liberty Street in Milford.

The Fenton Farmers Market will open for the season May 18 and runs 5-8 p.m. Thursdays through September 21 on the front lawn of the Fenton Community and Cultural Center at 150 S. Leroy Street in Fenton.

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The Whitmore Lake Farmers Market will open for the season June 4 and runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the first and third Sundays of the month through October. This season's market will be held at Whitmore Lake Middle School at 8877 Main Street due to construction at the Northfield Community Park.

The Highland Farmers' Market opens for the season June 17 and runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through October 7 at the corner of Milford Road and Highland Road/M-59 in Highland.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. 

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Farmers market season arrives this weekend in Livingston County