The Mancos Farmers Market starts on June 1 for the 2017 summer season, and organizer Bryan Kyle said he anticipates a more diverse array of vendors and products.
“We’re excited to flesh it out,” Kyle said.
The farmers market will run through Oct. 5 on Thursday evenings from 4-7 p.m. at Boyle Park in downtown Mancos. The market season is starting three weeks earlier this year, Kyle said.
There are at least four new vendors, and Kyle said he anticipates several more will sign up in the coming weeks. At least 10 vendors are set to participate, he said.
New this year, qualified buyers may use SNAP benefits to purchase products.
“We’re hoping to engage more of the community,” Kyle said.
Also new will be Mancos Field Days, an event with organized sports and outdoor games for kids. Kyle said a resident wanted to start the field days because there were fewer opportunities for kids to participate in sports and other physical activities during the schools’ summer break.
“More going on in the park on those days is what we’re looking for,” he said.
A new vendor will offer home deliveries for dairy products, and a farmer from Lewis will offer fresh poultry, pork and beef. The market hasn’t had a vendor selling those products in recent years, Kyle said.
A local artist plans to set up a flower booth at the market.
“That will be a nice, bright addition,” he said.
Almost all market days will have live music, featuring a lineup of local musicians, Kyle said.
“We’re hoping for more family-oriented things going on than just the market on those days,” he said.
jacobk@the-journal.com