The City of Easthampton recently approved applications for what will be a large outdoor market in the parking lot of the former Fedor Pontiac car dealership at 228 Northampton St. (Rte. 10). The market, organized by Carla Racine of Northampton, is the first of its kind in Easthampton, and will include booths for vendors of every sort, including artists, artisans, craftspeople and dealers in antiques and collectibles, and promotional booths for professionals offering products or services.
The Easthampton Outdoor Market will also feature concessions (food and drink) and a full farmers’ market with produce ranging from organic and conventional fruits and vegetables to free range meat and eggs, dairy products, annual and perennial plants, nursery items and more. Racine hopes to entice some local “celebrity” chefs to the weekly event, where they would be able to showcase their trademark creations in an environment that offers much potential for local promotion and word-of-mouth reputation building. Entertainers including musicians, magicians and other performers will be on hand each week, and games and activities for children are planned.
The market opens on the weekend of May 14 and will reconvene every Saturday and Sunday through October 9, 2011, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Portable restroom facilities, trash and recycling collection and free parking will be provided for vendors and the public. Racine says the response to the market’s recent green-lighting by the Easthampton Planning Board has been phenomenal; she hopes the weekly event will not only provide opportunities for area artists and small businesses but also feed customers to surrounding businesses and attract more summer travelers to Easthampton. Interested vendors should contact Racine at (413) 387-5795 or carla@easthamptonflea.com, or visit the market’s website at http://easthamptonflea.com.
