The Fort Atkinson Farmers Market kicked off its 19th season Saturday with the first of three “Spring Preview Market Days.”
Though blustery, Mother Nature fended off all but a few sprinkles and even invited the sun to peek out among the clouds during the morning.
Market-goers strolled through the East Milwaukee Avenue parking lot, browsing (and buying) fresh spring produce, garden plants and seedlings, as well as a limited selection of the market’s baked goods and crafts.
The “Spring Preview Market Days” will continue on the second and third Saturdays of May, from 8 a.m. to noon, in downtown Fort Atkinson at 19 E Milwaukee Ave W.
Limited children’s programming has returned to the market this year. Fort Community Credit Union is sponsoring the market’s art tent with weekly take-home art projects. Saturday’s project was, appropriately, take-and-make May baskets.
Also on hand Saturday were representatives of Heart of the City’s “No Mow May” project to promote pollinators. The organization gave away white oak trees and a variety of native perennials ranging from milkweed to sedum.
The market is taking a tiered approach with its COVID-19 reopening policies.
This year, dogs are allowed in the market on non-retractable leashes of 6 feet or less. Live music will be returning to the market in June. For the safety of customers and vendors, the market layout still maintains social distancing and, for the time being, people are asked to continue wearing masks while in the market space.
Blodgett Garden Center is sponsoring this year’s “Power of Produce” program, slated to begin later in May. The program is designed to teach children about nutrition through gardening by way of a new children’s garden, created in partnership between the market and the Dwight Foster Public Library.
Fort Farmers Market, which is sponsored by Fort Healthcare, is a program facilitated through the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional information, including children’s garden signup, volunteer applications, and market policies can be found at www.fortfarmersmarket.com.
Barbara Brouwer of Fort Atkinson chats with Cynthia Holt during Saturday’s farmers market. Brouwer was representing Heart of the City’s “No Mow May” effort to promote pollinators.
A bundled-up Jimmy Meier of Fort Atkinson sells garden ornaments and birdfeeders made from recycled materials. Meier is a regular at the market.
David Booth of Morningside Greenhouses has been a regular vendor at the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market since its start. Morningside is located on Morningside Lane off Lower Hebron Road, east of Fort Atkinson.
Sara Stahl of Fort Atkinson, right, and her daughter, Emma Stahl, pick out flowers being sold by Royal Hartwig of Lake Mills. Hartwig is a regular vendor, although he will not be at the market next Saturday. Not pictured is Stahl’s other daughter, Bree.
Saturday morning was pleasant, but very breezy. The blustery wind wreaked some havoc on vendors’ tents at the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market. Shown are two vendors taking down their tent so it doesn’t blow away.
Barb James and Joe Esther of Fort Atkinson check out the vegetable plants at the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market Saturday morning.
The Fort Atkinson Community Credit Union is sponsoring Take-Home Art for children at the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market. On Saturday, volunteer Helen Mattrisch of Jefferson handed out May basket kits to youngsters stopping by.
The Fort Atkinson Farmers Market kicked off Saturday with the first of its three May “Spring Preview Markets.” Social distancing and mask wearing were required. A steady stream of visitors strolled through the event.
Chris Spangler photos.
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